Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine Not Recommended for Upcoming Season: Impact on Arkansas

Why it matters locally: The CDC's recommendation against using the nasal spray flu vaccine (LAIV) will directly impact Arkansas residents, especially families with children. Arkansas has a population of over 3 million, and traditionally, the nasal spray has been a popular, needle-free option, particularly for vaccinating kids against the flu. Pediatricians and family doctors across Arkansas will now need to shift their strategy towards promoting and administering the flu shot (IIV) instead. This also means parents who preferred the nasal spray will need to consider the flu shot for their children, potentially leading to increased demand and wait times at clinics and pharmacies across the state.

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Atlanta, GA – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted on Wednesday to recommend that the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), commonly referred to as the nasal spray flu vaccine, not be used during the 2016-2017 influenza season. The decision follows data analysis indicating concerns about the effectiveness of the LAIV. Details surrounding the specific data that prompted the committee's decision were not immediately available in the initial announcement. The ACIP is an advisory group that provides recommendations regarding vaccine use to the CDC. These recommendations are often adopted as public health policy across the United States. Further information outlining the details surrounding the vote and the data leading to the recommendation is expected to be released by the CDC in the near future. The recommendation means that health care providers and public health officials are advised to prioritize the use of other available influenza vaccines, such as the inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV), commonly given as a flu shot, when vaccinating patients against the flu for the 2016-2017 season.