The Upshot of the Flu Shot

Many of you have likely seen recent media reports regarding the nasal spray flu vaccine for this coming season. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (a committee at the Center for Disease Control) voted that live attenuated influenza vaccine – commonly referred to as the Flumist -should not be used during the 2016-2017 flu season.

The reason for this change is because analysis of data from past flu seasons may indicate that the flumist was not as effective at protecting against flu infection.  The ACIP and the American Academy of Pediatrics continue to STRONGLY recommend that everyone from age 6 months and beyond be vaccinated against the flu. However, for the upcoming season it will be with the injectable version. Analysis of the “flu shot” showed that it worked very well last season to protect against the flu.

At Kids First we will be offering and recommending flu shots to our patients again this year.  Many kids – including my 5 – will be a bit disappointed about the change, but we are committed to providing our patients with the most effective and up-to-date medical care.