CNBC | 23 June 2016
The popular, needle-free FluMist influenza vaccine has not protected kids or adults against flu for years and should not be used this coming flu season, experts said Wednesday.
The surprise decision, sure to dismay children and needle-phobes, could also leave pediatricians short of vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
“Nasal spray flu vaccine accounts for about one-third of all flu vaccines given to children,” CDC said in a statement.
FluMist, made by MedImmune, uses live but weakened strains of flu virus to stimulate the immune system. It’s sprayed up the nose and in some seasons it had been reported to be more effective than some injected vaccines.
