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

Why it matters locally: The CDC's recommendation against using the nasal spray flu vaccine directly impacts West Virginia residents, especially families with young children. The nasal spray was often a preferred option for children due to its ease of administration compared to injections. This means families and schools, particularly those with concerns about needles, will need to adjust their flu vaccination strategies for the upcoming season. The WV Department of Health and Human Resources will need to update and communicate their vaccination guidelines to healthcare providers and the public to emphasize the use of injectable flu vaccines.

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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.