Blereau provides FluMist recommendation

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is another in a series of articles by local Centers for Disease Control Sentinel Physician Dr. Robert P. Blereau, of Morgan City.
The Centers for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices this year recommends the live attenuated flu vaccine nasal spray, FluMist, for immunization of children 2 to 8 years old.
This is a first for the ACIP to recommend a specific flu vaccine for a particular age group.
There were 46 fewer cases of confirmed flu per 1,000 children vaccinated with the flu nasal spray, prompting this recommendation.
The nasal spray vaccine is the only live attenuated flu vaccine (LAIV) available.
The LAIV is treated so that the live flu viruses, two type A’s and 2 type B’s, can produce immunity but cannot cause the flu. If the LAIV is not available, the use of either trivalent or quadrivalent flu shot is an acceptable alternative.
In fact, this year the vaccine for the children government program, which supplies the majority of children’s vaccinations, has limited supplies of the flu shots compared to LAIV.
LAIV is indicated for all persons from 2 through 49 years old without a contraindication.
Contraindications to LAIV includes children ages 2 to 4 years with a history of asthma or wheezing in the previous 12 months, pregnancy, severe egg allergy, those taking aspirin, those with chronic disease of the heart, lungs and kidneys, diabetes, history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, previous severe flu vaccination reaction, have a weakened immune response or live with someone that does, or are taking an anti-flu medication.
Common side effects of LAIV are runny or stuffy nose, sore throat and fever over 100 degrees.
Consult your medical care provider with any questions about LAIV or other vaccines.