Photo: NPR
Sorry kids (and some adults), the Center for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted that live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), also known as the “nasal spray” flu vaccine, should not be used during the 2016-2017 flu season.
It turns out that the spray — which is particularly popular among kids, pediatricians and parents who don’t like seeing their little ones cringe at the sight of a needle — hasn’t worked as well as the old-fashioned shot during the past few flu seasons.
Before then, FluMist protected against influenza as well as, or even better than, the flu shot. The panel’s recommendation against the spray was informed by data collected for children ages 2 through 17 that showed no evidence the nasal spray vaccine offered protection during last year’s flu season. Data also showed that FluMist performed poorly in the prior two flu seasons, but the scientists don’t know the reason.
Until an effective needle-free flu vaccine arrives, the CDC still recommends the injectable vaccine for just about everyone six months and older.
For further information, click here or go to npr.org.
Do your kids use the nasal spray vaccine? Tell us in the comments below!
H/T: NPR
Need some fresh ideas?
Related reads
