My children’s pediatrician informed me earlier this week that the nasal spray flu vaccine has been approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for children between the ages of 2 and 5. He said it has been proven to be more effective in healthy children compared to the flu shot.

Where as the flu shot contains dead flu virus, the nasal spray contains the weakened form of the live virus. Because of this, it is only for people who are healthy and those who will not be in contact with anyone who may have compromimsed or under developed immune system.

I was excited about the fact that my son wouldn’t have to get the needle for the flu shot, but unfortunately we were not able to try the nasal flu spray this year because of my preemature twins. They are only 4 months and so have not yet gotten the flu shot themselves. We will have to wait until they are 6 months of age for their first flu shot.  In the meantime, they would have been exposed to the weakend flu virus in the nasal spray had my son gotten it. But we will definitely give the nasal spray a go next year.

In the U.S., we are approaching the flu season. If you are too, and would like to consider the nasal-spray flu vaccine, here are some information I found. The following content has been copied from the Centers for Disease Control website and considered public domain (see CDC copyright information here http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/about/help/copyright.htm).

 

How effective is the nasal-spray flu vaccine (FluMist®)?

In one large study among children aged 15-85 months, the nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV (FluMist®) reduced the chance of influenza illness by 92% compared with placebo. In a study among adults, the participants were not specifically tested for influenza. However, the study found 19% fewer severe febrile respiratory tract illnesses, 24% fewer respiratory tract illnesses with fever, 23-27% fewer days of illness, 13-28% fewer lost work days, 15-41% fewer health care provider visits, and 43-47% less use of antibiotics compared with placebo.

Who can be vaccinated with the nasal-spray flu vaccine (FluMist®)?

LAIV (FluMist®) is approved for use in healthy people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.

Who should not be vaccinated with the nasal-spray flu vaccine (FluMist®)?

• People less than 2 years of age 
•  People 50 years of age and over
• People with a medical condition that places them at high risk for complications from influenza, including those with chronic heart or lung disease, such as asthma or reactive airways disease; people with medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney failure; or people with illnesses that weaken the immune system, or who take medications that can weaken the immune system.
•  Children <5 years old with a history of recurrent wheezing
• Children or adolescents receiving aspirin
• People with a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare disorder of the nervous system
• Pregnant women

Should the nasal-spray flu vaccine (FluMist®) be given to patients with chronic diseases other than those specifically listed above?

No. The nasal-spray flu vaccine is approved for use only in healthy people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.

Are there any contraindications to giving breastfeeding mothers  (FluMist®)?

Breastfeeding is not a contraindication for FluMist®. See www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5306a1.htm for a list of contraindications for FluMist®.

Can the nasal-spray flu vaccine (FluMist®) be given to patients when they are ill?

The nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV (FluMist®) can be given to people with minor illnesses (e.g., diarrhea or mild upper respiratory tract infection with or without fever). However, if nasal congestion is present that might limit delivery of the vaccine to the nasal lining, then delaying of vaccination until the nasal congestion is reduced should be considered.

Can people receiving the nasal-spray flu vaccine (FluMist®) pass the vaccine viruses to others?

In clinical studies, transmission of vaccine viruses to close contacts has occurred only rarely. The current estimated risk of getting infected with vaccine virus after close contact with a person vaccinated with the nasal-spray flu vaccine is low (0.6%-2.4%). Because the viruses are weakened, infection is unlikely to result in influenza illness symptoms since the vaccine viruses have not been shown to mutate into typical or naturally occurring influenza viruses.

Can contacts of people with weakened immune systems get the nasal-spray flu vaccine (FluMist®)?

People who are in contact with others with severely weakened immune systems when they are being cared for in a protective environment (for example, people with hematopoietic stem cell transplants), should not get LAIV (FluMist®). People who have contact with others with lesser degrees of immunosuppression (for example, people with diabetes, people with asthma taking corticosteroids, or people infected with HIV) can get LAIV (FluMist®).

What side effects are associated with the nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV (FluMist®)?

In children, side effects can include runny nose, headache, wheezing, vomiting, muscle aches, and fever. In adults, side effects can include runny nose, headache, sore throat, and cough. Fever is not a common side effect in adults receiving the nasal-spray flu vaccine.

When should the nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV (FluMist®) be given?

October or November is the best time to get vaccinated. Children ages 2-8 years who have never received influenza vaccine should receive the nasal-spray flu vaccine for the first time in October or earlier because they need a second dose at least one month after the first dose.

How often should the nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV (FluMist®) be given?

One dose of LAIV should be given each year before or during the influenza season. Children ages 2-8 years who require two doses (those receiving influenza vaccine for the first time, and those vaccinated for the first time during the previous influenza season but who only received one dose in that previous season) should receive the two doses at least one month apart.

If a child under the age of 9 years is getting influenza vaccine for the first time and requires 2 doses, does the same type of vaccine have to be used for both doses?

No, the first and second doses do not have to match; live or inactivated vaccine can be used for either dose. The doses should be separated by at least one month.

NOTE:  I did not include the the entire article here.  If you would like to read it in its entirety visit here: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/nasalspray.htm

 

 

For more information, please visit these websites:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/nasalspray.htm - Centers for Disease Control

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01705.html  - U.S. Food and Drug Administration