After a few weeks of not being able to track down any seasonal flu vaccine, I struck gold this week. I called our family doctor and was informed that they had plenty of doses of FluMist available. While I’ve always gotten a regular flu shot in the past, I’m not averse to trying new things, so I went for it.
I arrived a few minutes early for my 9AM appointment, and was out of there in a flash. The actual FluMist delivery consisted of huffing in a squirt in each nostril followed by instructions not to blow my nose for an hour. No needles involved, which makes it especially good for kids.
What is FluMist?
For those that aren’t familiar with it, FluMist is a seasonal flu vaccine that’s delivered as a nasal spray. Unlike a regular flu shot, which contains inactive (i.e., killed) flu virus, FluMist contains weakened flu viruses that are incapable of causing the flu.
Is FluMist as effective as a flu shot?
Now for the most important part… Which is more effective? FluMist, or the old school flu shot? According to recent studies, the attenuated virus used in FluMist is actually more effective than the inactivated virus used in traditional flu shots.
Who should get vaccinated?
According to the CDC, the following people should get the flu vaccine every year:
- Children aged 6 months to 19 years
- Pregnant women
- People aged 50 years or older
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
- People who live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities
- People who live with or care for those at high risk of flu complications
Individuals who should not get vaccinated without consulting a physician include:
- People with a severe allergy to chicken eggs
- People who have had a sever reaction to the flu vaccine in the past
- People with Guillain-Barré syndrome within six weeks of vaccination
- Children less then six months of age
- People with a moderate to sever illness with a fever
Who should get FluMist?
According to the CDC, “the nasal-spray flu vaccine is always an option for healthy people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.” They go on to say that “healthy” refers to people who do not have underlying medical conditions that predispose them to influenza complications.
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