Sanofi supports first ever National Vaccine Forum to for primary healthcare professionals

Pharma News: The first ever National Vaccine Forum, supported by Sanofi Pasteur, will take place today with the aim of helping primary healthcare professionals tackle vaccine hesitancy and other vaccine-related challenges in their patients.

The National Vaccine Forum is an independent event provided by Arterial Education that aligns with Sanofi Pasteur’s #WithVaccines campaign to support the growing conversation about the value and importance of vaccines in Australia.

Sanofi Australia and New Zealand Country Medical Lead, Dr Iris Depaz, said “COVID-19 has brought vaccines to the fore of conversations at home, in the workplace and when talking to healthcare professionals. The National Vaccine Forum has been designed to support primary healthcare professionals, so they are equipped with the latest information to have informed vaccine confidence conversations with their patients.”

“As a leader in vaccines, Sanofi Pasteur understands the important role we play in supporting accredited professional development opportunities that support informed conversations regarding vaccines.”

The National Vaccine Forum has been accredited by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points available to attendees.

The evening session, hosted by Dr Jen Martin, will include talks from a range of experts. Associate Professor Holly Seale and Dr David Baker will give advice on supporting and communicating with people from marginalised and diverse backgrounds. A session on COVID-19, covering the return to travel, vaccinations in the under 12s and COVID-19 vaccine claim schemes will involve Dr Jennifer Sisson, Dr Jessica Kaufman and legal expert Shevaun Drislane while body language specialist Steven van Asperen will give advice on how to understand a patient’s emotions during the consultation process.

The forum will end with talks from Dr Katie Attwell and founder of the Immunisation Foundation of Australia Catherine Hughes on talking to the general public about vaccines.

This free virtual event is open to registered healthcare professionals in Australia www.nationalvaccineforum.com.au

Sanofi Pasteur, in partnership with GSK, is developing a COVID-19 vaccine based on adjuvanted recombinant protein technology. The company is also using its large manufacturing capabilities to assist in the mass production of COVID-19 vaccines for Pfizer-BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna. In Australia, Sanofi Pasteur will deliver almost 9 million doses of 15 different vaccines this year to help protect Australians against diseases ranging from influenza and whooping cough to meningococcal disease.