CDC panel: FluMist spray vaccine is OK next season

The nasal-spray flu vaccine may be used again next flu season, a federal panel has recommended.

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to recommend using FluMist brand vaccine for the 2018–2019 flu season.

The nasal spray alternative to the seasonal flu shot has been off the market for two years (including for this flu season) because of its poor performance against a common flu strain in children.

The drug maker, AstraZeneca, released the results of a small study suggesting the reformulated vaccine performed significantly better than it did two years ago.

That prompted the CDC committee to approve its use again but elaborated that your doctor should decide whether to use either the spray or the injection.

The panel is sending its recommendations to the director of the CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services for review and final approval.

This flu season has been very active and deadly. Flu-related illnesses have killed at least 80 children and thousands of adults in the United States since the flu season began in October 2017.

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