New flu vaccine caters to the "needle-phobic"

Just in time for the 2003/2004 flu season, clinicians will be able to offer their "needle phobic" patients the first cold-adaptive, live-attenuated influenza vaccine (CAIV) that is administered as a nasal spray. The FDA recently approved influenza virus vaccine live, intranasal (FluMist, MedImmune Vaccines/Wyeth Vaccines) for active immunization for the prevention of disease caused by influenza A and B viruses in healthy children and adolescents, 5 to 17 years old, and healthy adults, 18 to 49 years old. The vaccine will be available in pharmacies beginning in the late summer to early fall.