Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine Not Recommended for Upcoming Season: What Alabama Residents Need to Know

Why it matters locally: The CDC advisory committee's recommendation against the nasal spray flu vaccine directly affects Alabama residents, particularly families with young children who often prefer the nasal spray over injections. This means that during the upcoming flu season, healthcare providers across Alabama will primarily offer the flu shot. Parents who prefer a needle-free option for their children will need to consider the implications of this change and discuss alternatives with their doctors.

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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.