Study: Nasal spray flu vaccine works for kids

May 13, 1998
Web posted at: 9:40 p.m. EDT (0140 GMT)

BOSTON (CNN) -- Though flu shots have long been readily available, children -- not to mention some adults -- are reluctant to take a vaccine via needle. But now, a new experimental vaccine may provide a way to get the protection without getting the shot.

According to a study in the latest New England Journal of Medicine, a new nasal spray flu vaccine has proven safe and effective for children.

"We definitely think, in children in particular, that this vaccine is as good or better than the standard flu shot," said Dr. James King of the University of Maryland Medical Center. "The children who received the vaccine, who were all preschool children, had a dramatic decrease in natural flu."

The vaccine, called FluMist, was tested on 1,602 children from ages 15 months to 6 years. They received either the vaccine or a placebo.

Among those kids getting the vaccine, only 1 percent developed the flu compared with 18 percent in the placebo group. Those getting FluMist were also 30 percent less likely to develop a bacterial infection in the middle ear, called otitis media, that often accompanies flu in children.

Each year, about 30 percent of all children get the flu. It is rarely fatal. Children are believed to play a major role in spreading the illness throughout the community.

"By interrupting the flu in children, we may have an impact on your own city or town and reduce the overall impact of flu each winter," King said.

However, in an editorial in the Journal accompanying the study, Dr. Elizabeth D. Barnett of Boston Medical Center cautioned that the case for routine immunization of all children may be "less clear cut" and that the cost of mass vaccination may outweigh the benefits.

"Decisions about whether to broaden the guidelines for vaccination to include all healthy children need to be made with care," she said. "We must balance the potential health and economic benefits against the challenges of implementing such a program and the unpredictability of the influenza virus."

The California company that makes FluMist, Aviron, hopes to get approval from the Food and Drug Administration to market the drug in time for next year's flu season.

Medical Correspondent Dr. Steve Salvatore and Reuters contributed to this report.

Extended Coverage:

• CNN - In-Depth Health: Children
• Cold & Flu Report

Related stories:

• New flu strain hits the U.S. - January 13, 1998

Related sites:

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

• Food and Drug Administration Home Page
  • U.S. FDA - CDER Home Page
• University of Maryland Medical Center
• All Children's Hospital
  • Flu Vaccine
• Aviron

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.

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