CAMBRIDGE, MA  – A majority (66%) of surveyed healthcare providers (HCPs) in the U.S. said that if they could recommend to the CDC one influenza vaccine for adults 65 years and older (65+), they would choose a vaccine with the clinical profile of Fluzone High- Dose Quadrivalent (Influenza Vaccine), according to a survey of 700 U.S. HCPs conducted by Ipsos, the world’s third-largest insights and analytical company and sponsored by Sanofi.

Two-thirds (66%) of the HCPs said that if they were voting members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), they would recommend the use of a vaccine like Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent for adults 65+. HCP responses to the blinded survey cited reasons for preference, including the vaccine’s superior efficacy compared to a standard-dose influenza vaccine and total years evaluated in real-world studies. The survey results underscore the importance of an ACIP preferential recommendation and come as the ACIP evaluates data to provide guidance for flu vaccines in this vulnerable population.

Influenza can lead to life-threatening complications, including pneumonia and serious heart conditions, especially in older adults.2 Recent estimates showed that 70-85% of flu-related deaths and 50-70% flu-related hospitalizations occurred in adults 65+.3 However, ACIP recommendations for influenza vaccines for that population have not changed since 2010 and currently, the ACIP does not provide preferential vaccine recommendations for these patients.4

The 65+ Flu Vaccines HCP Preference Survey was designed to evaluate HCP influenza vaccine brand preference for three different influenza vaccines. When presented with blinded clinical profiles of the three vaccines, nearly 74% of HCPs said they would recommend a vaccine with the clinical profile of Fluzone® High-Dose Quadrivalent for patients 65+ over another flu vaccine designed for this population, or over a standard-dose influenza vaccine.

Other key takeaways from the survey included:

• 76% of HCPs would recommend a vaccine with the clinical profile of Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent for their family and friends, if over 65+.
• 72% of HCPs would prefer a vaccine with the clinical profile of Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent for themselves, if over 65+.
• 96% of HCPs are very or somewhat likely to follow ACIP guidance when vaccinating adults 65+ for seasonal flu.

“Given the importance of protecting this vulnerable population from the flu, this new survey underscores the need for clear and specific guidance, ideally with a recommendation for Fluzone High- Dose Quadrivalent, based on demonstrated clinical results and real-world evidence. In fact, most healthcare professionals surveyed said they would prefer a vaccine with the clinical profile of Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent for themselves, their family and friends.1 This guidance could help to improve patient and provider confidence, patient outcomes, and access for patients to the recommended vaccine. It’s important for ACIP guidance to follow the science, especially for older adults who suffer the greatest burden from seasonal flu,” said Dr. Michael Greenberg, North America Medical Head of Vaccines at Sanofi.

With protection against four flu strains, Fluzone High-Dose is the only influenza vaccine licensed for use in adults 65 years of age and older to have demonstrated superior efficacy in a randomized controlled trial versus a standard dose influenza vaccine for the prevention of laboratory-confirmed influenza illness and the only influenza vaccine with 10 years of data demonstrating protection from flu and its related complications.In a meta-analysis of 15 published reports, including approximately 34 million people, those who received Fluzone High- Dose experienced approximately an 18% reduction in cardiorespiratory hospitalizations and over a 27% decrease in pneumonia hospitalizations, both of which are reductions above what the standard dose vaccines provided.