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The CDC recommends that all children receive flu vaccine every year. Once children reach 2 years of age, children have the option of a flu shot or a nasal spray flu vaccine; many parents and children prefer the nasal spray. However, in June 2016 the CDC changed its recommendation because nasal spray flu vaccine was found to be less effective than flu shots in preventing influenza. Data from the 2015-2016 flu season showed the nasal spray vaccine was only 3 percent effective at preventing influenza in children ages 2-17. As a result, the CDC now recommends that children receive a flu shot, not nasal spray flu vaccine.

In the February 2016 NPCH Report, parents reported negative beliefs about flu vaccine safety and efficacy. Nearly half (48%) of parents whose children did not receive flu vaccine said that compared to other childhood vaccines, flu vaccine works less well. One third of parents said flu vaccine is less important for their child than other vaccines. Read the full report: Inferiority complex? Parents rate flu lower than other vaccines.

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Read the full statement from CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/s0622-laiv-flu.html.

What do you think?
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