Wisconsin Health Officials Push Flu Shots Over Nasal Vaccines

Wisconsin health officials are encouraging residents to opt for a flu shot instead of a nasal spray vaccine, following findings from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that showed the spray worked less than half of the time during last year’s flu season.

The nasal vaccine, FluMist, was 46 percent effective compared to 65 percent for traditional flu shots.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services state health officer Karen McKeown said supplies should be adequate.

“We do expect that there will be enough vaccine for the year ahead. So, people should go ahead, when the time comes, go on out and get the flu shot to protect themselves and their families,” McKeown said.

Last month, the CDC made a nationwide recommendation that FluMist not be used. It uses a weakened, live virus, while the shot is an inactivated flu vaccine.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the nasal vaccine in 2003. It initially worked well but federal officials say it may have been totally ineffective against one strain of flu last year. Flu vaccines typically protect against three strains of flu.