The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (“ACIP”) recommends vaccination against seasonal influenza for all individuals who are six months of age or older. While adhering to its recommendation regarding who should be vaccinated the ACIP advises against the use of the live attenuated influenza vaccine (“LAIV”) nasal spray for the 2016 – 2017 influenza season.
The ACIP’s recommendation was based on surveillance data gathered over the past three years that was obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and showed the effectiveness of LAIV amongst children and teenagers was poor. This is important to know, especially if you’re a parent of a “tween”, as you may have to adjust expectations for upcoming flu vaccine encounters that are based on prior years where nasal spray was used as it is unlikely LAIV will be offered at your pediatrician’s office this flu season. In light of the ACIP recommendation, parents’ options include having their children receive either the traditional trivalent or newer quadrivalent influenza vaccine injection.
While the vast majority of those who receive a seasonal influenza vaccine experience no adverse reaction, adverse reactions can occur. If you think you or someone you know has been injured by a vaccine, compensation for the injury may be available.
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