Pfizer Canada and WestJet Make Travel Easier for Canadians with Severe Food Allergies
'Reach for the Sky' contest aims to increase awareness on a growing public health issue in Canada
KIRKLAND, QC, Sept. 29, 2014 /CNW/ - Serious allergies are on the rise and to raise awareness of anaphylaxis, Pfizer Canada, Canadian distributor of EpiPen® (epinephrine) Auto-Injectors, and WestJet are launching a social media contest called Reach for the Sky, offering Canadians with severe food allergies, or those at risk of anaphylaxis, the chance to win a WestJet Vacations package for four.
"Pfizer Canada in partnership with WestJet is committed to making travel and travel planning as worry-free as possible for those WestJet guests who are among the 2.5 million Canadians who self-reported having at least one food allergy," said Allen Van Der Wee, General Manager, Global Established Products Business Unit at Pfizer Canada Inc. "Anaphylaxis is a serious health concern, especially when travelling. We are proud of our continued partnership with WestJet, an organization that embraces the culture of care and understands the serious medical issues involved with severe allergies. We support their efforts in being prepared to help guests should the need arise."
Food-induced anaphylaxis is reported to have increased 350 per cent in the last decade.1 In addition, severe food allergies among children in the US have increased from an average of 3.4 per cent during 1991 to 1999 to 5.1 per cent during the years of 2009 to 2011, according to a 2013 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.2
WestJet has long taken measures to accommodate their guests while maintaining a balanced experience for all other guests with food allergies. WestJet carriers are equipped with EpiPen® and EpiPen® Jr Auto-Injectors, trusted by Canadians and their health care providers for more than 25 years. That said, travelers at risk of severe allergic reactions are ultimately responsible for taking all the necessary precautions, including carrying their own epinephrine auto-injector(s) at all times.
"We take the health and safety of our guests very seriously and we are pleased to be working with Pfizer Canada and offer EpiPen® to help provide additional support and raise awareness for people at risk of severe allergic reactions," said Lorne Mackenzie, Director, Regulatory Affairs at WestJet.
For more information about WestJet's Allergy Policy, please visit www.westjet.com.
Reach for the Sky Photo Contest
To enter, eligible participants must visit the EpiPen® Canada Facebook page and submit an inspirational photograph along with a caption explaining how living with severe allergies does not restrict them or their child from going after their dreams. The national launch of the voting period will occur in October for the public to decide their favourite entry out of the top 20. For more details on the Reach for the Sky contest or to enter the contest, visit the EpiPen® Canada Facebook page.
*Should you be carrying an EpiPen® Auto-Injector? Take the Severe Allergy Risk Test to help determine your risk of a severe allergic reaction and visit www.EpiPen.ca for more information.
About Pfizer
Pfizer Canada Inc. is the Canadian operation of Pfizer Inc., one of the world's leading biopharmaceutical companies. The company is one of the largest contributors to health research in Canada. Pfizer's diversified health care portfolio includes biologic and small molecule medicines and vaccines for humans, and many of the world's best‐known consumer products. To learn more about Pfizer Canada, visit pfizer.ca or you can follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/PfizerCA) or Facebook (facebook.com/ Pfizer.Canada).
Important Safety Information
EpiPen and EpiPen Jr (0.3 and 0.15 mg epinephrine) Auto-injectors ("EpiPen") are indicated for the emergency treatment of anaphylactic reactions in patients who are determined to be at increased risk for anaphylaxis, including individuals with a history of anaphylactic reactions. The EpiPen Auto-Injector is a disposable, pre-filled automatic injection device that administers epinephrine in the event of a severe allergic reaction. After using EpiPen, you must seek immediate medical attention or go to the emergency room. For the next 48 hours, you must stay close to a healthcare facility or be able to call 9-1-1. For more information about EpiPen, please visit www.EpiPen.ca.
About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's most-preferred airline, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. We offer scheduled service to more than 85 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our regional airline, WestJet Encore, and with partnerships with airlines representing every major region of the world, we offer our guests more than 120 destinations in more than 20 countries. Leveraging WestJet's extensive network, flight schedule and remarkable guest experience, WestJet Vacations delivers affordable, flexible travel experiences with a variety of accommodation options for every guest. Members of our WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Our members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacations packages on any day, at any time, to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods ̶ even on seat sales. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit www.westjet.com. More information about WestJet's allergy policy can be found on www.westjet.com in the Travel Essentials section under Guests with Special Needs.
EpiPen®, EpiPen® Jr are registered trademarks of Mylan, Inc. licensed exclusively to its wholly-owned affiliate, Mylan Specialty, L.P.; sub-licensee, Pfizer Canada Inc., Kirkland, Quebec H9J 2M5.
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1 Ben-Shoshan,et al. A population-based study on peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish, and sesame allergy prevalence in Canada. Journal of Allergy Clinical Immunology 2010 Vol. 125 Issue 6:1327-1335 June 2010 Available at: http://www.medicine.mcgill.ca/epidemiology/joseph/publications/medical/benshoshan2010.pdf [Accessed September 4, 2014].
2 Food Allergy Research and Education. Available at: http://www.foodallergy.org/facts-and-stats [Accessed September 4, 2014].
SOURCE Pfizer Canada Inc.
For further information: For contest entry details, please contact: Manon Genin, Manager, Corporate Affairs, Pfizer Canada Inc., 1-866-9PFIZER, [email protected]; Abigail Bueno, Account Supervisor, Health & Wellness, Porter Novelli, 416-422-7170, [email protected]