Health
Intranasal flu vaccine recommended for young children
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Nov. 26, 2007
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to endorse at its meeting last month the use of the nasal spray influenza vaccine by healthy children ages 2 to 5 with no history of asthma or wheezing. This age group was first recommended to receive flu immunization last year, but this action means they don't necessarily have to receive the injectable version.
"This recommendation gives parents another option when vaccinating their children," said Anne Schuchat, MD, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Influenza vaccine is expected to be plentiful this season. About 132 million doses, more than any previous season, are expected to be manufactured.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/11/26/hlbf1126.htm.
