MedImmune Specialty Care Publishes Flu Guide
New, Educational Resource Provides Busy Parents with Tips to Help Keep Families Flu-Free as the 2013-2014 Flu Season Picks Up
GAITHERSBURG, Md., Nov. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, MedImmune Specialty Care division of AstraZeneca (MedImmune Specialty Care) announced its partnership with Elizabeth Pantley, author of the best-selling No-Cry Solution parenting book series, to publish "A Parent's Guide to Flu Season."This guide aims to educate parents on the importance of flu prevention and help them navigate through flu myths and misconceptions. Pantley, a popular parent educator and mother of four, welcomed the opportunity to help families understand the impact of influenza and protect against the disease.
To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/63934-medimmune-author-elizabeth-pantley-a-pa...
Each year in the U.S., an average of 20,000 children under age five are hospitalized from influenza complications.(1) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states the single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated,(2) yet only 57 percent of children aged 6 months to 17 years received a flu vaccination during the 2012-2013 influenza season.(3) In an effort to educate parents and reduce the burden of influenza on families and communities, Pantley created a booklet of easy-to-remember prevention tips.
"Children are two to three times more likely than adults to contract the flu(4) - and more young children in the U.S. go to the hospital each year because of flu-related complications than any other vaccine-preventable disease.(1) Many parents aren't aware of these facts," said Pantley. "By developing this booklet with MedImmune Specialty Care, we hope to help parents understand the importance of prevention and encourage families to get an annual vaccination to help protect against the flu."
"A Parent's Guide to Flu Season" contains information that parents can use throughout the season to help protect their families against influenza, as well as quizzes that test one's "flu I.Q." and a parental consent form for participation in school-located flu vaccination clinics. It also includes information about the various flu vaccination options available, including quadrivalent vaccines. For the first time in the 2013-2014 season, quadrivalent flu vaccines are available in both the nasal-spray and shot to help protect against four strains of influenza virus contained in the vaccine. Historically, seasonal flu vaccines have protected against three strains of influenza virus.(5)
Parents can download "A Parent's Guide to Flu Season" for free on Facebook (www.facebook.com/dontwaitvaccinate) and on Pantley's website (www.nocrysolution.com). Additionally, MedImmune Specialty Care is providing print copies of the booklet to 750,000 parents through parent-teacher organizations at schools across the country.
"While influenza can begin as early as October, it typically peaks in January or later,(6) and can have a significant impact on the entire family, including hospitalization,(2)" said Dr. Catherine Dundon, Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and mother of two. "Vaccination is the first and most important step to help prevent the flu,(7) and as influenza season continues to gear up, this booklet serves as a reminder for families to get vaccinated."
MedImmune Specialty Care is the only manufacturer to offer its entire U.S. influenza vaccine supply in the quadrivalent formulation to customers this season. Individuals should speak to a healthcare professional to determine which flu vaccine is right for themselves and their families.
Influenza vaccines are available at a variety of locations, including doctor's offices, public health departments, and retail pharmacies, such as Target and Walgreens. Individuals can visit https://flushot.healthmap.org to find nearby locations that offer flu vaccines and speak with their local pharmacist to confirm if there are specific age requirements for receiving an influenza vaccination.
For more information about influenza and its prevention, visit www.cdc.gov/flu and for tips throughout the flu season, visit www.facebook.com/dontwaitvaccinate.
About MedImmune Specialty Care
MedImmune Specialty Care Division of AstraZeneca is a patient-focused, biopharmaceutical business unit responsible for the commercialization of small molecule and biologic prescription medicines for AstraZeneca. Within the U.S., MedImmune Specialty Care provides commercial support and insights for in-line marketed products addressing respiratory, inflammation and autoimmunity, oncology, infection and vaccines. Headquarters are located in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with a primary focus on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory and inflammation, oncology and infectious disease. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information about AstraZeneca in the U.S., please visit: www.astrazeneca-us.com.
About Author Elizabeth Pantley
Parenting educator Elizabeth Pantley is president of Better Beginnings, Inc., a family resource and education company. Elizabeth is frequently quoted as a parenting expert in newspapers and magazines worldwide and on thousands of parent-directed websites. She publishes newsletters that are distributed in schools, daycares, medical offices, childbirth educator programs, and parent programs everywhere.
Elizabeth is the author of eleven popular parenting books, available in 27 languages, including the best-selling No-Cry Solution series. For more information, excerpts, and parenting articles visit the author's website at: www.nocrysolution.com and her blog at: www.elizabethpantley.com. Join her on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/ElizabethPantleyNoCryAuthor.
References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seasonal Flu Information for Schools & Childcare Providers. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/. Accessed October 17, 2013.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm. Accessed October 17, 2013.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu Vaccination Coverage, United States, 2012-13 Influenza Season. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/coverage-1213estimates.htm. Accessed October 17, 2013.
4. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Flu (Influenza): Overview. http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/Flu/understandingFlu/Pages/overview.aspx. Accessed October 21, 2013.
5. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Vaccines, Blood & Biologics: Influenza Virus Vaccine for the 2013-2014 Season. http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryIn.... Accessed October 17, 2013.
6. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Seasonal Flu. http://www.flu.gov/about_the_flu/seasonal/#. Accessed October 17, 2013.
7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Says "Take 3" Actions To Fight The Flu. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm. Accessed October 17, 2013.
SOURCE MedImmune Specialty Care
Video:http://www.multivu.com/mnr/63934-medimmune-author-elizabeth-pantley-a-pa...
MedImmune Specialty Care
CONTACT: Melissa Garcia, 301-398-6470, garciame@medimmune.com
GAITHERSBURG, Md., Nov. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, MedImmune Specialty Care division of AstraZeneca (MedImmune Specialty Care) announced its partnership with Elizabeth Pantley, author of the best-selling No-Cry Solution parenting book series, to publish "A Parent's Guide to Flu Season."This guide aims to educate parents on the importance of flu prevention and help them navigate through flu myths and misconceptions. Pantley, a popular parent educator and mother of four, welcomed the opportunity to help families understand the impact of influenza and protect against the disease.
To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/63934-medimmune-author-elizabeth-pantley-a-pa...
Each year in the U.S., an average of 20,000 children under age five are hospitalized from influenza complications.(1) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states the single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated,(2) yet only 57 percent of children aged 6 months to 17 years received a flu vaccination during the 2012-2013 influenza season.(3) In an effort to educate parents and reduce the burden of influenza on families and communities, Pantley created a booklet of easy-to-remember prevention tips.
"Children are two to three times more likely than adults to contract the flu(4) - and more young children in the U.S. go to the hospital each year because of flu-related complications than any other vaccine-preventable disease.(1) Many parents aren't aware of these facts," said Pantley. "By developing this booklet with MedImmune Specialty Care, we hope to help parents understand the importance of prevention and encourage families to get an annual vaccination to help protect against the flu."
"A Parent's Guide to Flu Season" contains information that parents can use throughout the season to help protect their families against influenza, as well as quizzes that test one's "flu I.Q." and a parental consent form for participation in school-located flu vaccination clinics. It also includes information about the various flu vaccination options available, including quadrivalent vaccines. For the first time in the 2013-2014 season, quadrivalent flu vaccines are available in both the nasal-spray and shot to help protect against four strains of influenza virus contained in the vaccine. Historically, seasonal flu vaccines have protected against three strains of influenza virus.(5)
Parents can download "A Parent's Guide to Flu Season" for free on Facebook (www.facebook.com/dontwaitvaccinate) and on Pantley's website (www.nocrysolution.com). Additionally, MedImmune Specialty Care is providing print copies of the booklet to 750,000 parents through parent-teacher organizations at schools across the country.
"While influenza can begin as early as October, it typically peaks in January or later,(6) and can have a significant impact on the entire family, including hospitalization,(2)" said Dr. Catherine Dundon, Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and mother of two. "Vaccination is the first and most important step to help prevent the flu,(7) and as influenza season continues to gear up, this booklet serves as a reminder for families to get vaccinated."
MedImmune Specialty Care is the only manufacturer to offer its entire U.S. influenza vaccine supply in the quadrivalent formulation to customers this season. Individuals should speak to a healthcare professional to determine which flu vaccine is right for themselves and their families.
Influenza vaccines are available at a variety of locations, including doctor's offices, public health departments, and retail pharmacies, such as Target and Walgreens. Individuals can visit https://flushot.healthmap.org to find nearby locations that offer flu vaccines and speak with their local pharmacist to confirm if there are specific age requirements for receiving an influenza vaccination.
For more information about influenza and its prevention, visit www.cdc.gov/flu and for tips throughout the flu season, visit www.facebook.com/dontwaitvaccinate.
About MedImmune Specialty Care
MedImmune Specialty Care Division of AstraZeneca is a patient-focused, biopharmaceutical business unit responsible for the commercialization of small molecule and biologic prescription medicines for AstraZeneca. Within the U.S., MedImmune Specialty Care provides commercial support and insights for in-line marketed products addressing respiratory, inflammation and autoimmunity, oncology, infection and vaccines. Headquarters are located in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with a primary focus on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory and inflammation, oncology and infectious disease. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information about AstraZeneca in the U.S., please visit: www.astrazeneca-us.com.
About Author Elizabeth Pantley
Parenting educator Elizabeth Pantley is president of Better Beginnings, Inc., a family resource and education company. Elizabeth is frequently quoted as a parenting expert in newspapers and magazines worldwide and on thousands of parent-directed websites. She publishes newsletters that are distributed in schools, daycares, medical offices, childbirth educator programs, and parent programs everywhere.
Elizabeth is the author of eleven popular parenting books, available in 27 languages, including the best-selling No-Cry Solution series. For more information, excerpts, and parenting articles visit the author's website at: www.nocrysolution.com and her blog at: www.elizabethpantley.com. Join her on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/ElizabethPantleyNoCryAuthor.
References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seasonal Flu Information for Schools & Childcare Providers. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/. Accessed October 17, 2013.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm. Accessed October 17, 2013.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu Vaccination Coverage, United States, 2012-13 Influenza Season. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/coverage-1213estimates.htm. Accessed October 17, 2013.
4. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Flu (Influenza): Overview. http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/Flu/understandingFlu/Pages/overview.aspx. Accessed October 21, 2013.
5. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Vaccines, Blood & Biologics: Influenza Virus Vaccine for the 2013-2014 Season. http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryIn.... Accessed October 17, 2013.
6. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Seasonal Flu. http://www.flu.gov/about_the_flu/seasonal/#. Accessed October 17, 2013.
7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Says "Take 3" Actions To Fight The Flu. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm. Accessed October 17, 2013.
SOURCE MedImmune Specialty Care
Video:http://www.multivu.com/mnr/63934-medimmune-author-elizabeth-pantley-a-pa...
MedImmune Specialty Care
CONTACT: Melissa Garcia, 301-398-6470, garciame@medimmune.com
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