Sanofi partners with USA Pickleball to launch "Serve Up Protection" campaign to help protect older adults from COVID-19 with NUVAXOVID™
Sanofi’s campaign with USA Pickleball promotes awareness of Nuvaxovid’s protein-based COVID-19 vaccine option among older adults and high-risk individuals.
Rhea-AI Summary
Sanofi (SNY) and USA Pickleball have launched the “Serve Up Protection” campaign on September 10, 2026 to educate older adults about COVID-19 and NUVAXOVID, the only protein-based, non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine approved by the FDA.
The initiative targets adults 65+ during respiratory season, using multimedia education, trusted pickleball voices and fan experiences at major events, including USA Pickleball’s National Championships in November in San Diego. The campaign addresses that nearly 70% of adults 65 and older remain unvaccinated, partly due to concerns about side effects.
NUVAXOVID is indicated for people 65+ and for those 12–64 at high risk for severe COVID-19. In two pivotal phase 3 trials it showed high efficacy, with most side effects mild to moderate, though rare serious reactions, including severe allergy, myocarditis and pericarditis, are possible. Sanofi is market authorization holder in the US, EU and UK and is expanding NUVAXOVID’s availability to additional countries from 2026.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
- Despite their risk of serious illness from COVID-19, nearly
70% of adults 65 and older remain unvaccinated, in part due to concerns about potential side effects - The campaign serves up COVID-19 prevention education, including details about NUVAXOVID™ and its established tolerability
Older adults are staying active with the help of sports such as pickleball, but age-related changes to the immune system and health conditions like chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, can increase their risk of serious illness from COVID-19. Despite these risks, many adults 65 and older remain unvaccinated, driven by factors such as uncertainty about evolving health guidance and concerns about side effects.
"Concerns about potential vaccine side effects can be a barrier to vaccination for older adults, who don't want disruption in their daily lives and hobbies," said Sriram Jambunathan, Head of Marketing & Commercial Strategy, US Vaccines at Sanofi. "By teaming up with
"At
In two pivotal phase 3 studies, NUVAXOVID demonstrated high efficacy against COVID-19 and the majority of side effects were mild to moderate and would not prevent daily activities, according to FDA grading. Rare, serious side effects are possible. Please see Important Safety Information below.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about if NUVAXOVID may be right for you. Visit NUVAXOVID.com for more information and to find a vaccine near you.
About NUVAXOVID
NUVAXOVID is a protein-based, adjuvanted vaccine for active immunization to prevent COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2. It is developed using recombinant technology, an established platform with a long track record across multiple vaccine types.
Having multiple vaccine options becomes increasingly important for sustainable public health strategies. NUVAXOVID has an established safety and tolerability profile. Nuvaxovid is a protein-based vaccine option that healthcare systems can add to their routine vaccination programs. Offering a range of vaccine types might aid healthcare systems in addressing vaccine hesitancy.
NUVAXOVID was originally licensed by Novavax. Sanofi is now market authorization holder for NUVAXOVID in the US, the EU and the
Indication
NUVAXOVID is a vaccine to protect against COVID-19 for people who are:
- 65 years of age and older, or
- 12 years through 64 years of age at high risk for severe COVID-19
Vaccination with NUVAXOVID may not protect all people who receive the vaccine.
NUVAXOVID does not contain SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. NUVAXOVID cannot give you or your child COVID-19.
Important Safety Information
You or your child should not get NUVAXOVID if you had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of NUVAXOVID or to any of its ingredients.
There is a remote chance that the vaccine could cause a severe allergic reaction, which would usually occur within a few minutes to one hour after getting a dose. For this reason, the vaccination provider may ask you or your child to stay at the place where you or your child received the vaccine for monitoring after vaccination. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include: difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, a fast heartbeat, a bad rash all over the body and/or dizziness and weakness
Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart) have occurred in some people who have received NUVAXOVID. The chance of having this occur is very low. You should seek medical attention right away if you or your child have any of the following symptoms after receiving the vaccine: chest pain; shortness of breath; feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart.
Other side effects reported in clinical trials and/or post-approval use of NUVAXOVID include: Injection site reactions (pain/tenderness, swelling, redness and itching), fatigue or generally feeling unwell, muscle pain, headache, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, allergic reactions such as hives and swelling of the face, swollen lymph nodes, paresthesia (unusual feeling in the skin such as tingling or a crawling feeling), and hypoesthesia (decreased feeling or sensitivity, especially in the skin)
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information, for more details.
About COVID-19
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill resulting in hospitalization and death.
The disease not only causes immediate health impacts but also increases the long-term risk of cardiovascular complications, including heart attacks and strokes, and older adults hospitalized for COVID-19 face substantially higher mortality risk than those hospitalized for influenza. Older adults and those with chronic conditions - including cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes, and obesity - face the highest risk of severe illness. In the US, an estimated
MAT-US-2608280-v1.0-08/2026
About Sanofi
Sanofi is an R&D driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people's lives and delivering compelling growth. We apply our deep understanding of the immune system to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world, with an innovative pipeline that could benefit millions more. Our team is guided by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people's lives; this inspires us to drive progress and deliver positive impact for our people and the communities we serve, by addressing the most urgent healthcare, environmental, and societal challenges of our time.
Sanofi is listed on EURONEXT: SAN and NASDAQ: SNY
About USA Pickleball
USA Pickleball is the official National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of pickleball in the United States. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, USA Pickleball is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the game while advancing its growth and development nationwide. The organization supports players, clubs, and communities by sanctioning premier tournaments, offering certified equipment testing, training referees, certifying facilities, and providing a wide range of educational resources. USA Pickleball also maintains and updates the official rules of the sport, ensuring consistency and fairness at every level of play. Led by a Board of Directors and a dedicated national office staff, USA Pickleball delivers the infrastructure and strategic vision necessary to fuel the continued expansion of pickleball across the country—benefiting members with exclusive access to events, programs, and tools that elevate their experience on and off the court.
Media Relations
Sandrine Guendoul | +33 6 25 09 14 25 | sandrine.guendoul@sanofi.com
Evan Berland | +1 215 432 0234 | evan.berland@sanofi.com
Léo Le Bourhis | +33 6 75 06 43 81 | leo.lebourhis@sanofi.com
Victor Rouault | +33 6 70 93 71 40 | victor.rouault@sanofi.com
Timothy Gilbert | +1 516 521 2929 | timothy.gilbert@sanofi.com
Léa Ubaldi | +33 6 30 19 66 46 | lea.ubaldi@sanofi.com
Ekaterina Pesheva | +1 410 926 6780 | ekaterina.pescheva@sanofi.com
Investor Relations
Thomas Kudsk Larsen |+ 44 7545 513 693 | thomas.larsen@sanofi.com
Alizé Kaisserian | + 33 6 47 04 12 11 | alize.kaisserian@sanofi.com
Keita Browne | + 1 781 249 1766 | keita.browne@sanofi.com
Nathalie Pham | + 33 7 85 93 30 17 | nathalie.pham@sanofi.com
Nina Goworek | +1 908 569 7086 | nina.goworek@sanofi.com
Thibaud Châtelet | + 33 6 80 80 89 90 | thibaud.chatelet@sanofi.com
Yun Li | +33 6 84 00 90 72 | yun.li3@sanofi.com
Sanofi forward-looking statements
This media update contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended.
Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements include projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions regarding the marketing and other potential of the product; regarding potential future events and revenues from the product. Words such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "estimate," "plan," "can," "contemplate," "could," "is designed to," "may," "might," "potential," "objective," "attempt," "target," "project," "strategy," "strive," "desire," "predict," "forecast," "ambition," "guideline," "seek," "should," "will," "goal," or the negative of these and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Although Sanofi's management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Sanofi, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include among other things, unexpected regulatory actions or delays, or government regulation generally, that could affect the availability or commercial potential of the product, the fact that product may not be commercially successful; authorities' decisions regarding whether and when to approve a product candidate; political pressure in the United States to mandate lower drug prices including "most favored nation" pricing for State Medicaid programs; the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including future clinical data and analysis of existing clinical data relating to the product, including post marketing, unexpected safety, quality or manufacturing issues; competition in general; risks associated with intellectual property and any related pending or future litigation and the ultimate outcome of such litigation, and volatile economic and market conditions, and the impact that global crises may have on us, our customers, suppliers, vendors, and other business partners, and the financial condition of any one of them, as well as on our employees and on the global economy as a whole. The risks and uncertainties also include the uncertainties discussed or identified in the public filings with the SEC and the French Markets Authority (AMF) made by Sanofi, including those listed under "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in Sanofi's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2025 or contained in our periodic reports on Form 6-K. Other than as required by applicable law, Sanofi does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained herein.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sanofi-partners-with-usa-pickleball-to-launch-serve-up-protection-campaign-to-help-protect-older-adults-from-covid-19-with-nuvaxovid-302875345.html
SOURCE USA Pickleball
FAQ
Who is currently eligible to receive NUVAXOVID under its indication?
NUVAXOVID is indicated to protect against COVID-19 in people who are 65 years of age and older, and in people 12 through 64 years of age who are at high risk for severe COVID-19. Vaccination with NUVAXOVID may not protect all recipients, and the vaccine does not contain SARS-CoV-2, so it cannot give you or your child COVID-19.
What key safety information is highlighted for NUVAXOVID?
People should not receive NUVAXOVID if they had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or any of its ingredients. There is a remote chance of severe allergic reactions, typically within minutes to one hour after vaccination, so providers may monitor recipients on site. Myocarditis and pericarditis have occurred in some recipients, though the chance is described as very low, and medical attention should be sought for chest pain, shortness of breath or a fast, fluttering or pounding heartbeat. Other reported side effects include injection site reactions, fatigue or feeling unwell, muscle and joint pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, allergic reactions such as hives and facial swelling, swollen lymph nodes, paresthesia and hypoesthesia.
How will the “Serve Up Protection” campaign reach older adults and pickleball players?
The campaign is designed to reach people during respiratory season, both on and off the court, using multimedia education, trusted pickleball voices and fan experiences. Activities include educational and fan engagement elements at major events, such as USA Pickleball’s National Championships in November in San Diego, to help players understand COVID-19 risks, prevention options and the role of NUVAXOVID.
In which markets is Sanofi making NUVAXOVID available?
Sanofi is the market authorization holder for NUVAXOVID in the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom. Building on its commercial launch in the United States, Taiwan and Morocco in 2025, Sanofi is expanding availability to additional markets, including the United Kingdom, Germany and Canada, from 2026 onwards.