What is FluMist?

FluMist is the name of a newer flu vaccine that's given in a nasal spray. Unlike the flu shot, there are no needles involved with FluMist. FluMist flu vaccine is appealing, especially to parents of kids who don't like the sight of needles.

What is FluMist?

While the traditional flu shot is made from killed flu viruses, FluMist is made from weakened live viruses. The weakened live virus reproduces inside the person's nose and produces viruses that the immune system learn to attack. It's thought that live viruses may actually work better than "dead" viruses in increasing immunity against flu.

How does FluMist work?

Both FluMist and a flu shot stimulate an immune response in different areas. While the flu shot stimulates production of flu-fighting antibodies in the blood, FluMist stimulates production of antibodies in both the blood and the nose.

The greatest difference between the flu shot and FluMist nasal spray vaccine is the production of antibodies in the nose. This is important because the flu virus usually enters the body through the nose.

How is FluMist delivered?

The vaccine in FluMist is sprayed into the person's nostrils with a small, needleless syringe. Since it takes about two weeks for the antibodies to develop, it's recommended to get the flu vaccine anytime from September to mid November.

Who can use FluMist?

The FDA has approved FluMist for healthy children ages 2-4 years (24-59 months) without a history of recurrent wheezing or asthma as well as for healthy persons ages 5-49 years who are not pregnant. A patient will receive one dose of the vaccine per year, unless it is a child from the age of 2 to 8 years old who is getting his or her first influenza vaccine. These children will need a second dose two weeks later because the first dose does not trigger enough antibodies to prevent the flu. Two doses will do the job.

Who should not use FluMist?

According to the CDC, those who should not use FluMist include:

• pregnant women
• children under the age of 2
• people 50 years of age or older
• children older than 5 with recurrent wheezing or asthma
• children or adolescents receiving aspirin
• anyone with a chronic illness
• people with allergies or hypersensitivity, including anaphylaxis, to any of the parts of FluMist or to eggs
• people who have chronic heart or lung disease, asthma, restrictive airways disease, diabetes or kidney failure, or people with weakened immune systems, or medications that can weaken the immune system
• people with a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare nervous system disorder

Are there side effects with FluMist?

Some side effects may occur with FluMist, including a runny nose, headache, wheezing, vomiting, muscle aches, and fever. In adults, side effects may include a runny nose, headache, sore throat, and cough. It is uncommon for adults to have a fever with FluMist.

Should I get FluMist nasal spray each year?

As with all flu vaccines, you need to get a new flu shot or FluMist nasal spray vaccine every year since the strains of flu viruses mutate over time. As the flu viruses change each year, the past vaccine become ineffective.