A new flu shot for a new flu season

With a new flu season comes a new method for administering immunizations to the majority of U.S. military beneficiaries living in Europe.

FluMist, an influenza vaccine applied as a nasal spray, will be the vaccine of choice for those ages 2 to 49, said Lt. Col. Phelps Pond, chief of public health nursing at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and the public health nursing consultant for Europe Regional Medical Command.

 The more traditional flu shot will still be administered to those who are younger – ages 6 months to two years old, those older than 49, and those for whom FluMist is not recommended, for example, pregnant women. The two vaccines are different in that the flu shot contains an inactivated virus, whereas FluMist contains a weakened live influenza virus similar to the virus it is designed to prevent.

The chance of experiencing significant side effects from FluMist is slight, Colonel Pond said. FluMist is supplied as a pre-filled intra-nasal applicator and is sprayed into each nostril. The sensation is similar to that of an over-the-counter nasal spray. Although FluMist is new to the U.S. military community in Europe, it has been widely used the past few years at stateside military installations such as Fort Campbell, Ky., where Colonel Pond said its introduction was uneventful. He described FluMist as the vaccine of choice because it’s simple and efficient for mass vaccinations.

FluMist is readily transportable, can be stored at refrigerated temperatures instead of having to be frozen, and requires no additional equipment such as syringes.

Further details about dates and locations will be published in the KA soon.
Although October and November are the best time to receive flu vaccinations, vaccination continues to offer significant benefit through the winter months, noted Colonel Pond. He also stressed the importance of children being vaccinated because of their potential to spread flu to fellow family members and older community members. He also noted flu season is a good time for those 65 and older to consider receiving the Pneumovax pneumonia vaccine.

For more information about FluMist, visit www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/nasalspray.htm
(Courtesy of LRMC public affairs)