“New research shows that the flu shot provided significantly better protection in recent flu seasons compared with the nasal spray vaccine”, Henry Bernstein, coauthor of the policy statement, said in a statement.
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Although the nasal spray won’t be used for flu vaccines this year, CDC and the Health Department continue to recommend everyone age 6 months and older get a yearly flu shot.
The statement supports the recommendation by USA health officials not to use the nasal spray flu vaccine this coming season.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that among children ages 2 to 17 during the 2015 to 2016 flu season, effectiveness for the nasal spray was at 3 percent, whereas it reached 63 percent for the shot.
For many children and adults, the sight of a needle is unbearable, but this flu season the actual shot may be the only line of defense to stay protected from the virus.
The group also calls for mandatory vaccinations for health care workers. A flu shot at any point during pregnancy is safe and crucial because pregnant women are at high risk of complications from flu.
A flu expert with the CDC and member of ACIP theorized that when a fourth strain of influenza was added to the vaccine a few years ago, that may have weakened the body’s response to another strain. “Because the flu virus is common and unpredictable, it can cause serious complications even in healthy children”. Concerted efforts among health care providers, public agencies, vaccine manufacturers, distributors, and payers are necessary to prioritize distribution appropriately to the primary care office setting and patient-centered medical home before other venues, especially when vaccine supplies are delayed or limited.
The statement was published online September 6 in the journal Pediatrics.
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“Most of El Paso should be getting their flu vaccines now through the middle and the end of September”, said Dr. Prodanovic.
