FluMist Flu Vaccine Found Safe in Children With Asthma

A large study recently assessed a new guideline recommending a live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) for young, asthmatic children. 

After adjusting for age and baseline asthma severity, these researchers found no increase in lower respiratory events, including asthma exacerbations, within 21 days and 42 days of vaccination. 

This finding applies to even the youngest subset of kids in the study. The study included 7,851 influenza vaccinations in 4,771 children with asthma. 

This study’s finding is good news for under-vaccinated children since 116 flu-related pediatric deaths have been reported this flu season.   

These researchers concluded ‘the LAIV, known as FluMist, is safe for children with asthma who are older than 2 years.’ 

FluMist Quadrivalent is a live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), produced by AstraZeneca. 

AstraZeneca says on the FluMist website ‘You should not get FluMist Quadrivalent if you have a severe allergy to eggs or to any inactive ingredient in the vaccine; have ever had a life-threatening reaction to influenza vaccinations, or are 2 through 17 years old and take aspirin or medicines containing aspirin.

And, children or adolescents should not be given aspirin for 4 weeks after getting FluMist Quadrivalent, unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise.

During March 2019, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) announced it will not have a preference between LAIV and inactivated influenza vaccine for the 2019-2020 flu season.

This AAP decision is a change from the 2018-2019 season, in which the AAP considered inactivated influenza vaccines as the primary choice while saying LAIV could be used for children who would not otherwise receive a flu vaccine.

Recent LAIV vaccine news:

• Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine Availability Questioned for 2019-2020
• Pediatricians Now Endorse Both Flu Shots & Nasal Spray Vaccine
• FluMist May Be Least Effective for Adolescents

Most pharmacies in the USA offer various flu vaccines. To help those without access to insurance programs, financial assistance programs can be found at Vaccine Discounts.

Relevant Links: CDC vaccination schedules, CDC vaccine price list, international travel alerts, and how to report vaccine side effects.