There are now more options for your yearly flu vaccine. While you can get a ‘flu shot’ that has been the traditional method for flu vaccination, a newer vaccine that allows you to receive the flu vaccine via a nasal spray is also available for those of us with needle phobias.

Importantly, the flu vaccine is not for everyone. Flu vaccines are not approved for children under 6 months of age.  While most other people can receive a flu vaccine, you need to discuss vaccination with your health care provide if you:

• Have a severe egg allergy.
• Have previously had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
• Developed Guillane-Barre within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
• People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.

Additionally, the nasal spray vaccine, or FluMist, can only be taken by in children, adolescents, and adults 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant. Persons with a weakened immune system and certain other chronic diseases may not be able to recieve the FluMist vaccine.  Asthmatics and children under 5 with recurrent wheezing may also want to avoid the nasal spray as it may worsen asthma in some individuals.

Additionally, you want want to consider some recent research before you choose which vaccine to take this year. In a study released this week in the New England Journal of Medicine, the flu shot was twice as effective as the nasal spray in preventing flu in healthy adults. While the nasal spray was less effective in this study, the nasal spray is still more protective than doing nothing if you have a needle phobia.

Remeber, a flu vaccine is the most effective way to prevent the flu this year.

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