Researchers confirm safety and effectiveness of nasal spray flu vaccine

Washington, Jan 20 : Mayo Clinic researchers have found evidence that nasal spray flu vaccine is a safe and effective way to prevent flu in healthy, non-pregnant adults and kids aged 2 years and older.

The vaccine is available via injection or a nasal spray, which offers protection against the flu.

It has been available since 2003, but the nasal spray form of the flu vaccine, known as Flu Mist, is not widely accepted.

Therefore, researchers reviewed the current research analysing the nasal vaccine.

They found that much of the hesitancy about its use appears to stem from unsubstantiated fears and misperceptions, rather than research data.

They addressed five pervasive misconceptions about the nasal vaccine, concluding that the nasal spray flu vaccine is a safe and effective way to prevent flu in healthy, non-pregnant adults and kids ages 2 years and older.

Influenza is a viral infection that affects millions of people each year and potentially can cause serious complications, especially in children and older adults.

The study is published in the January issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

ANI