Experience with FluMist?

[my3kids]

While one of my children needs the flu shot, I'll not ask the doctor to immunize the rest of us since we are healthy. I am curious about FluMist, the nasal immunization made with the weakened live virus. Does anyone have experience with this means of influenza protection? We generally have always received the shots to help protect the family member with asthma and as a nice side effect, no one has gotten sick after getting the shot, even when the flu was rampant in the community. We have had cases in the household in odd years when one or another did not have the vaccine.

Does FluMist seem safe? Did anyone use it and actually contract the flu from the mist? Does it work s well as the injection in the healthy 5-49 yo target group?

 

[luvwinnie]

The only thing I know about it is I cannot get it since I have an autoimmune disease.

 

[luvwinnie]

http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/immunizations/a/flumist_qa.htm

this might help

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by my3kids
Does FluMist seem safe? Did anyone use it and actually contract the flu from the mist? Does it work s well as the injection in the healthy 5-49 yo target group?

Go to the website www.FluMist.com. It is 87% effective in children which is a good rate of protection. It wouldn't be unusual to get mild flu like symptoms but its better than getting the flu.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Last year, I took DS5 and DS3(at the time) to get FluMist at the pediatrician's. At the time I didn't know that it was only for 5 and over, so poor DS3 had to watch big brother get the painless FluMist, while he had to endure a shot...Neither child got (or brought into the house) the flu. But neither did I, and I was not vaccinated at all...Neither showed flu symptoms or any reactions to the vaccines they received. The pediatrician said that the FluMist was an immediate protection, while the shot takes a couple of weeks to build it's immunity..

And of course, the cost. Shots are covered under most insurance, and FluMist isn't always. Last year, when it was new, they were offering a $25 rebate on the $40 vaccine. Worth it to me not to have to have DS endure a shot. To my surprise, the insurance covered the FluMist as an office visit ($10), so I actually came out $15 ahead!!

I called about the vaccines for this year, and my ped office says they are not experiencing a shortage because they don't order from the company with the problems. They have plenty, but NO FluMist! So both boys will be getting a shot this year...

I will be passing on the shot this year (as always.) The shortage is a good excuse for me not to have to get a shot....

 

[Missy1961]

Originally posted by DawnCt1
Go to the website www.FluMist.com. It is 87% effective in children which is a good rate of protection. It wouldn't be unusual to get mild flu like symptoms but its better than getting the flu.

This is a nice website. However, it is set up by the company that makes FluMist, so I doubt they'd have any negative comments. I'd start my research there, do a Google search, and ask my doctor about it.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by Missy1961
This is a nice website. However, it is set up by the company that makes FluMist, so I doubt they'd have any negative comments. I'd start my research there, do a Google search, and ask my doctor about it.

The "negative" information is under "patient information" just like in the PDR. Because its a drug they have to provide full disclosure.

 

[laurie31]

Both my dds and myself got FluMist last year and had no problems.

Laurie

 

[froglady]

Does anyone know why healthy adults over the age of 49 cannot get FluMist? I know that many drugs are not recommended for people over 65, but why 50? I'm just a bit over the limit, and know that I'm healthier now than I was a few years ago, thanks to a diet and exercise program, and the loss of 30+ pounds.

Never mind. I found the answer; they didn't include enough people over 50 in the original study. They don't know if it works for them, if they would have different side effects, etc. I hope they expand the study to include somewhat older people.

 

[momsgonwild]

My children both participated in the Flu Mist Study at Scott and White Hospital in Temple, TX. They never had any symptoms, and never caught the flu. They were able to use the mist for three years before it was approved for mass use. There are certain groups of people that the mist is not suitable for, but I can't remember whom. Contact your family physcian for more info.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by froglady
Does anyone know why healthy adults over the age of 49 cannot get FluMist? I know that many drugs are not recommended for people over 65, but why 50? I'm just a bit over the limit, and know that I'm healthier now than I was a few years ago, thanks to a diet and exercise program, and the loss of 30+ pounds.

Never mind. I found the answer; they didn't include enough people over 50 in the original study. They don't know if it works for them, if they would have different side effects, etc. I hope they expand the study to include somewhat older people.

The only reason it is not used in the over 49 age group is because it hasn't been tested in that age group. Those trials are ongoing now. There was a limited trial in the over 65 age group and in that small sampling it wasn't sufficiently immunogenic however the trial wasn't big enough to draw any long term conclusions. So you are right. You found the answer !

 

[peachgirl]

There are certain groups of people that the mist is not suitable for, but I can't remember whom.

Basicallly, if you're in any of the high risk categories that doctors recommend get flu shots, you're not eligible to get FluMist.