Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine Recommendation Change Impacts North Dakota's Upcoming Flu Season

Why it matters locally: The CDC's recommendation against using the nasal spray flu vaccine directly impacts North Dakota residents, particularly families with children. For years, the nasal spray has been a popular and less invasive option for vaccinating young children against the flu. With a population of roughly 784,000, and a greater percentage of the population being located in rural areas creating barriers to healthcare access, this change creates a hurdle for some families accustomed to seeking the nasal spray. This decision means families and healthcare providers in North Dakota will need to rely solely on injectable flu vaccines (flu shots). This can be especially concerning for parents of young children who may be hesitant about injections and may present challenges in pediatric offices. While the flu shot remains effective, the elimination of the nasal spray option may affect vaccination rates, potentially increasing the risk of flu outbreaks during the upcoming season. For North Dakota's healthcare providers, this means adjusting vaccine ordering and potentially managing increased patient demand for flu shots. Healthcare workers should take steps to educate patients on the efficacy of the flu shot, and where patients can access the vaccine.

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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.