CDC Declares Nasal Spray Vaccine As Ineffective, Recommends Better Method Of Immunization Against The Flu

Going through pain is good -- at least that's what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention thinks when they declared that nasal spray vaccine is ineffective. An advisory committee composed of 15 immunization experts recommended on Wednesday that flu shots, or injectable vaccine, is a better method of immunization against viruses in time for the upcoming flu season.

The CDC specifically mentioned AstraZeneca's FluMist nose spray vaccine, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2003 for people with ages between two and 49, CNN reported. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist, said FluMist has poor performance in protecting people against viruses compared to the injectable vaccine.

Dr. Joseph Bresee, a flu expert at the CDC, said they "could find no evidence (the spray) was effective" against the flu, according to Chicago Tribune. Studies have found that FluMist performed poorly against the most common flu strains during the past three flu seasons.

Injectable Vaccine More Effective, Experts Say

FluMist is a live weakened influenza vaccine that stimulates the immune system, while the flu shot is "an inactivated influenza vaccine," CNN further reported. According to the CDC's report based on data from 2015-16, the nasal spray flu vaccine only provided 3 percent of immunity against the flu for people aged two to 17. The standard flu shot, in contrast, is 63 percent effective in the same age group.

Bresee said FluMist's ineffectiveness was probably caused by the four strains incorporated into the vaccine instead of the usual three. It's possible that the extra strain lowered the body's response to another strain, Chicago Tribune noted.

Pediatricians prefer administering nasal spray vaccine. The same can be said for children who fear the needle and the pain associated with flu shots. The nasal spray comprises for around one-third of flu vaccines given to kids, and accounts for 8 percent of the total number of flu shots administered annually, Time reported.

Doctors Will Be Affected

FluMist was once deemed as the best vaccine for immunizing children. Two years ago, officials even instructed doctors to use nasal spray vaccine on young children instead of flu shots. Dr. Jennifer Shu, a pediatrician in Atlanta, said the downside of nasal spray vaccine is it could cause a runny nose for a day or two in children, CNN noted.

The American Academy of Pediatrics supported CDC's recommendation, though they also acknowledged that it could be a trouble for pediatricians who were planning to administer nasal spray vaccine to their patients, ABC News wrote. Some pediatricians, doctors and clinics have already placed orders for nasal spray vaccines for the upcoming flu season.