FluMist was a substitute to the standard flu shot, and was common among kids who are afraid of needle.
The advice triggered many questions, and thus Dr. Jennifer Preiss, main physician at Allegheny Health Network's Greentree Medical Associates, was asked to put the development into context for public.
The doctor was asked about the reason behind the sudden shift in effectiveness. Replying to the same, she said that there are differences in the up-and-coming developing immune system of a kid. While growing up, children respond very differently to immunizations. A varying change also comes in the antigens against which they have been making immunizations.
She was asked about whether FluMist will make a comeback or not? She said that it could be back, and, according to her, the CDC was highly motivated to find it out. She said that it will be away probably for a couple of years, and doesn't think it will be gone forever. She added that she always alleged that the mist didn't work effectively, and now she has data to support it.
Parents came up with queries like what they should now tell to their kids, regarding why they have no other choice than a shot. The doctor said that parents must make their children realize that they don't want them to fall sick. The doctor also mentioned that pediatricians are required to be more creative in giving vaccination.
According to a story published on the topic by Trib Live, "A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee recently recommended that FluMist, the nasal spray influenza vaccine, should not be used during the upcoming flu season. Ouch! An alternative to the standard flu shot, FluMist was popular among kids who feared the needle."
In a short answer, there are variations in the up-and-coming developing immune system of a child. Children respond very differently to immunizations as they grow. There is also a varying change in antigens that we are making immunizations against. In all honesty, they are looking at what happened 12 to 18 months ago to make the vaccine for this fall. We're very lucky we get as good a response as we get with the injectable vaccine. This year, the injectable was a very good match.
I think that you explain to them you don't want them to get sick and have to go into the hospital and have IVs. Pediatricians need to be more creative in how they give the vaccine and who gives it - nurses who are good at it.
A report published in Parent Herald revealed, "The parents of an 8-year-old girl who died from influenza are claiming that the nasal spray vaccine FluMist failed to protect their daughter from the virus. This came after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned against nasal spray vaccines and advised health officials to administer flu shots in its place instead."
Influenza, or the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness that affects the nose, throat, bronchi and, sometimes, the lungs. Its symptoms include sudden onset of fever, headache, aching muscles, sore throat, rhinitis, cough, and malaise or discomfort. Majority of people infected recover within one to two weeks without medical attention but young and elderly people are at risk of more serious complications like pneumonia and death, according to the World Health Organization.
In June, the CDC declared flu shots as a more effective immunization method against viruses than the nasal spray vaccine. Studies have found that FluMist performed poorly against the most common flu strains during the past three flu seasons, according to Chicago Tribune.
CDC's report based on data from 2015-16 indicated that the nasal spray vaccine only provided 3 percent of immunity against the flu for people aged two to 17. Flu shots, in contrast, have a 63 percent effectiveness rate among the same age group.
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