Flu season is quickly approaching, and if you are used to getting your child the FluMist nasal spray, it may soon be time to make the transition to the actual flu shot.
On Tuesday, both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released statements recommending only the flu shot vaccine over the nasal spray alternative.
“A lot of people like to take it because they don’t like getting the shot however they’ve been looking at how effective it is to keeping people from getting the flu compared to the flu shot and they’re just finding that the flu shot’s more effective,” said Katherine Wells, the City of Lubbock Director of Public Health. “I think people really want to avoid getting the injection and the injection is really quick, kids forget about it a minute or two later.”
A number of CVS and Walgreens pharmacies in Lubbock along with the City of Lubbock Health Department have already removed the option of receiving the nasal spray.
Wells says while the update may come as an inconvenience to some, she says it’s a perfect reminder for families to get their flu shots soon.
