Actor-Filmmaker Farhan Akhtar to Spread Awareness About Influenza Prevention

As the cause ambassador of Sanofi Pasteur India’s flu awareness campaign, actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar will spread awareness about influenza prevention through vaccination. The campaign is an educational initiative by Sanofi Pasteur India, the vaccines division of pharmaceutical company Sanofi and supports the cause to create awareness on seasonal influenza.

As an ambassador, Farhan will persuade parents to take flu seriously and protect their children through vaccination. He said that he was surprised to learn that flu is not a common cold, but a serious viral infection that’s a high risk especially among children below the age of 5. "As a parent, I was concerned for my children’s welfare and hence, consulted their pediatrician,” he explained. "It was reassuring to know that flu can be prevented and children can be protected against flu through timely vaccination. This was a revelation to me, and I am sure that there are others too who have misconceptions about the disease, inadvertently risking their children’s lives.”

Since Farhan has two daughters; so, he decided to support the initiative to spread the message on flu prevention.

As a part of the campaign, he along with city doctors will educate parents through multimedia channels such as radio, digital, print and in-clinic to take flu seriously and protect their children through timely vaccination.

"According to the WHO, the principal way of reducing influenza burden is by vaccination. However, lack of awareness is a limiting factor in vaccine usage," said Jean-Pierre Baylet, country head, Sanofi Pasteur India. “Sanofi Pasteur India is therefore embarking on an initiative to educate the masses and improve awareness on influenza and its prevention.”

Source-IANS