How effective is the nasal-spray seasonal flu vaccine LAIV (FluMist)?
According to Center for Disease Control, the seasonal nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV (FluMist) reduced the chance of influenza illness by 92% in children aged 15-85 months compared with placebo. The study also found 19% fewer severe febrile respiratory tract illnesses, 24% fewer respiratory tract illnesses with fever in adults. Can FluMist be given to anybody? LAIV (FluMist) is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant. However FluMist is not right for everyone as per MedImmune. You should not take FluMist if you have a history of hypersensitivity to eggs, egg proteins, gentamicin, gelatin, or arginine; people with life-threatening reactions to previous influenza vaccinations; and children and adolescents receiving aspirin or aspirin-containing therapy. What are the most common side effects of FluMist? Most common side effects included runny nose or nasal congestion, sore throat, and fever. For a full list of side effects, please refer to the product info
