Intranasal Flu Vaccine Superior to Flu Shot in Children
According to the results of a large study published in a recent issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, administering FluMist (Intranasal Influenza Virus Vaccine Live) to infants and young children ages 12 months to 5 years of age produced greater protection against the flu than did the flu shot. The study involved 8,475 children in this age range during the 2004-2005 flu season. Equal numbers of infants and children got either the flu shot (injection) or FluMist. Overall there were 55% fewer cases of the flu in children who received FluMist compared to those who got the flu shot.
Currently, FluMist is approved by the FDA for vaccinating children 5 years up to 17 years of age, and adults up through age 49. It is administered by placing the vaccine, which comes in a special sprayer device that delivers a small amount of the liquid as a spray, into both nostrils. The manufacturer of FluMist is seeking approval of the vaccine in a refrigerator-stable form for administration to children12 months of age up to 5 years of age who do not have a history of asthma or wheezing.