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July 14, 2003

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

“Flu Vaccine Idea Is Right on the Nose”

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (www.sun-sentinel.com) (07/13/03) P. 1E; Allen, Jane E.

The new influenza vaccine, inhaled instead of injected, will probably appeal to many people who avoid getting the annual flu shot, and it could both reduce the number of people who become seriously ill or who die during the flu season, as well as lower the health costs of flu-related symptoms. The newly approved vaccine is available only to healthy people between the ages of 5 years and 49 years until further tests are completed, but public officials hope that the availability of the product, called FluMist, will mean fewer shortages of the injectable vaccine.  FluMist is made from weakened live viruses and will cost about $46, instead of the $10 to $15 of the injectable form; the live viruses will multiply in the upper airways and block wild flu viruses from settling there, while stimulating the body to produce antibodies.