What about the nasal flu vaccine?

[dansolo]

While I believe that there has been an overreaction to this flu vaccine shortage, I am suprised that most news reports have completely ignored the newly approved nasal vaccine. If the news organizations were responsible, instead of merely appealing to low risk people to not get a flu vaccine, they should be informing people about the other vaccine that is available, and is more suited for healthy people.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/nasalspray.htm

[Kagemusha]

1. And I just read there's 2 million doses of this only.

2 million's a drop in the proverbial bucket.

[Soopercali]

2. Last year, there was a shortage, too...

And the nurse in my doctor's office told me they thought the pharmaceutical companies were only trying to push the nasal spray vaccine. She said it wasn't anywhere near as effective.

[vi5]

3. I've heard its riskier because its a live virus....

..as opposed to the dead, inactive virus of the vaccine. I could be wrong though. But I think with a more live virus, the risks are greater.

[blondeatlast]

4. Okay, I'm trying to stay calm here...There are 2 million or so doses

of the nasal vaccine--last time I looked, there were 225 million people in the US. Not to mention, the nasal vaccine is demonstrably less effective.

There is NO overreaction to the flu vaccine shortage. The flu kills 30-40,000 people every YEAR.

For those of us with medical conditions, are aged, or immunity-compromised, this is DEADLY serious.

This is one story the media got right; there is every reason to worry that this job was outsourced.

:eyes:

[ksoze]

5. Medimmune - More info....

They got hosed last year and so did not plan on a large run this year....then the shortage.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9697-2004Oct5.html

[Proud liberal Kat]

It is also a problem if...

You work with immuno-compromised individuals who haven't gotten the flu vaccine. My biggest concern is my daughter. She is 23 months old and has asthma (not truly a huge chronic problem, but when she gets ill she needs steroids etc.). She couldn't get both shots that she required last year and this year the Dr.'s office is saying she is on the list for the vaccine they will receive on the 23rd but at the bottom because she is 23 months and will be 2 on November 6th. They are saying she is not bumped up to her asthma? Well at least to my husband I will be calling on Monday. We both didn't get the nasal spray vaccine last year because there is a chance of passing on the flu to those at risk from it. Luckily the flu season wasn't bad here last year and we escaped. I worry about this year and my daughter's health due to her asthma however. The common cold has her wheezing.
Kathy

[Proud liberal Kat]

6. Sorry double clicked