MORRISTOWN, N.J. and SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanofi and USA Pickleball are teaming up to launch "Serve Up Protection," a campaign to educate older adults about COVID-19 and NUVAXOVID (COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted), the only protein-based, non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). "Serve Up Protection" aims to reach people during the respiratory season on and off the court using multimedia education, trusted pickleball voices and fan experiences at major events, including USA Pickleball's National Championships in November in San Diego.
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 USA Pickleball on 'Serve Up Protection,' we're educating older adults that NUVAXOVID can help provide powerful protection against COVID-19 with manageable side effects."
"At USA Pickleball, we're committed to creating meaningful partnerships that help our community enjoy the sport for years to come," said Christian Portaro, Vice President of Partnerships at USA Pickleball. "As pickleball continues to attract players of all ages, we're proud to work with Sanofi on the 'Serve Up Protection' campaign to provide education and resources that empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health. By helping players better understand risk and prevention options, we're supporting their ability to stay active, connected and on the court."
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 United Kingdom. Building on its commercial launch in the US, Taiwan, and Morocco in 2025, Sanofi is expanding NUVAXOVID's availability to additional markets - including the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada - from 2026 onwards.
Indication
NUVAXOVID is a vaccine to protect against COVID-19 for people who are:
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 74% of adults have at least one such risk factor, underscoring the scale of the vulnerable population that stands to benefit from effective and well-tolerated COVID-19 vaccination.
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.
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SOURCE USA Pickleball
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