The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has pulled the plug on nasal-spray flu vaccines for the 2016-2017 flu season.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices at CDC says the nasal spray “should not be used” this year, while still recommending that everyone over six months old should get vaccinated.
That leaves the needle, much to the dismay of most children and all others who’d rather not get a literal “shot in the arm.”
Data on the effectiveness of the nasal-spray drug delivery system during last year’s flu season was recently released by the U.S. Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network and the results were dismal.
Only 3 percent of those who received the spray got effective protection from influenza as opposed to anywhere between 63 percent to 95 percent of those who received a vaccination injection.
In short, the CDC says, the nasal spray provided “no protective benefit that could be measured.”
Miranda Hawker, the Florida Department of Health in Indian River County’s administrator, makes no bones about what she sees as a top priority for all Vero area residents. “Now is the time for people to get vaccinated,” Hawker states emphatically, “Vaccination is the most important step people can take to stay well.”
That’s because, on average, 36,000 people in the United States die each year from influenza and an additional 114,000 require hospitalization.
And while “flu season” in Florida generally starts much later than it does in the northeastern states, the bug is one of the most easily spread viruses in the world.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases reminds everyone this time of year that coughing, sneezing, kissing or even talking can spread the influenza virus as can simply touching almost any surface or object and then touching that hand to one’s eyes, nose or mouth.
Getting vaccinated as early as possible is important because “it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection,” according to the CDC.
With Vero’s annual influx of “snowbirds” not too far away, Hawker says it’s best to get vaccinated now so you are protected before flu begins spreading in your community and among your friends and relatives.
The ineffective nasal sprays contain a “live attenuated influenza vaccine” while actual flu shots contain either an “inactivated influenza vaccine” or a “recombinant influenza vaccine.”
Consult your physician or pharmacist for information on possible side effects and warnings regarding flu shots, especially if you have a history of adverse reactions to vaccines, currently have a fever or are allergic to chicken eggs. (To make the vaccine, the influenza virus is injected into hens’ eggs, where it’s incubated and then processed; some element of egg remains and can cause severe reactions.)
