Are nasal flu vaccines right for you and your kids?
Published 12:34 pm Thursday, October 15, 2009
If the very thought of getting a flu shot gives you or your children an attack of needle phobia, you may be wondering about the nasal-spray version of the flu vaccine known as FluMist.
This year, two versions of flu vaccine will be available, one to combat seasonal flu and another to prevent H1N1 influenza, also known as swine flu.
FluMist, the first form of H1N1 vaccine to be released in Snohomish County, isn’t right for everyone, however. Here’s what you need to know:
Q: What is FluMist?
A: FluMist is the trademark name for a flu vaccine that can be sprayed into a nostril instead of injected into the arm. It contains weakened influenza virus instead of the killed flu virus in shots.
Q: How old do you have to be to receive FluMist?
A: Only ages 2 to 49 are allowed to receive FluMist seasonal and H1N1 vaccines under FDA licensing.
Q: Who should avoid FluMist?
A: People who should avoid the spray vaccine include pregnant women, people with egg or chicken feather allergies, anyone living with someone who has a seriously compromised immune system, people with asthma or episodes of wheezing in the past 12 months, children being treated with aspirin, people with a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome and anyone with significant heart, lung or chronic debilitating diseases. If you are not eligible for FluMist, you may be able to receive the shot form of the vaccines.
Q: Are both flu vaccines available in the spray form?
A: Yes, but you can’t have both at the same time. H1N1 spray and seasonal spray cannot be given within four weeks of each other. However, a spray version of either vaccine can be given at the same time as a shot version of the other vaccine.
Q: What does FluMist feel like?
A: It’s much like using over-the-counter nasal sprays for cold symptoms. It doesn’t hurt, but some people do not like the spray sensation. The smell may be unpleasant.
Q: Which type of vaccine — shot or spray — is more effective?
A: Spray and shot vaccines for seasonal and H1N1 influenza are likely to be equally effective for both children and adults, said Dr. Yuan-Po Tu, who is in charge of the flu vaccinations program at The Everett Clinic. Dr. David Grossman, medical director of preventive care for Group Health, said there is no evidence that spray is more or less effective than a shot. His advice: Just get vaccinated. As with shot vaccines, some children may need two doses of spray to be effective.
Q: When will spray vaccines become available?
A: Seasonal spray is available now. H1N1 spray is starting to trickle into Snohomish County. Though the first batch of vaccine will be given to health care workers, more of the vaccine is expected during the next few weeks.
Q: Where can I get the spray?
A: Check with your school, workplace, pharmacy or health care provider.
Q: How much does the spray cost?
A: Though the federal government is paying for the H1N1 vaccines, including spray, some providers may charge $15 or more to administer them.
Seasonal spray typically costs about $35; a seasonal flu shot is usually about $25.
Q: Have there been any adverse reactions to the spray?
A: According to the makers of FluMist, the most common side effects are a runny nose or nasal congestion; fever in children ages 2 to 6; and sore throat in adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, both versions of FluMist can also cause additional side effects in some children, including cough, headache, muscle aches, wheezing, abdominal pain, or occasional vomiting and diarrhea. Adults can also experience cough, chills, tiredness, weakness or headache. If a life-threatening allergic reaction does occur, it would usually happen within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination, according to the CDC.
Q: Does FluMist contain thimerosal, a preservative that contains mercury?
A: No. Neither the H1N1 nor seasonal spray contains thimerosal. Some, but not all, shot vaccine manufacturers will produce multidose H1N1 and seasonal vials that will contain thimerosal.
Learn more
FluMist, www.medimmune.com, www.flumist.com
The Everett Clinic, www.everettclinic.com/flu, 425-257-1400
Group Health, www.ghc.org, 888-901-4636
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/flu, 800-232-4636
Snohomish Health District, www.snohd.org, www.snocoflu.com, 425-339-5224
U.S. Department of Health &Human Services, www.flu.gov
Washington State Department of Health, www.doh.wa.gov/flunews, www.doh.wa.gov/h1n1
Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, vaers.hhs.gov, 877-633-4411
