Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine Not Recommended for Upcoming Flu Season

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted that the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), also known as the nasal spray flu vaccine, should not be used during the upcoming 2016-2017 flu season.

However, ACIP continues to recommend annual flu vaccination with either the inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) or recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV) for everyone 6 months of age and older.

Why Did ACIP Vote This Way?

The ACIP vote is based on data that showed poor or relatively lower effectiveness of LAIV from 2013 through 2016. LAIV, which is sold as FluMist Quadrivalent, is currently the only non-injection-based flu vaccine available on the market.

How Do I Spread the Word to Patients?

To help start conversations with patients, the AAAAI has a new article describing that while the nasal spray influenza vaccine is not recommended for the upcoming flu season, they still need their flu shot. Access the article in English and Spanish using the links below. You are invited to share the links directly with patients or on your social media.

Read the CDC’s statement on the vote.

Access the AAAAI’s patient article in English.

Access the AAAAI’s patient article in Spanish.