FDA OKs nasal flu vaccine for children

Washington -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved expanding the use of the nasal influenza vaccine FluMist to include children 2-5 years old.

The nasal spray vaccine, which contains a weakened form of the live virus, was previously limited to healthy children 5 years of age and older and to adults up to age 49.

"The goal of preventing influenza is now more attainable with the availability of FluMist for younger children," said Dr. Jesse Goodman, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. "This approval also offers parents and health professionals a needle-free option for squeamish toddlers who may be reluctant to get a traditional influenza shot."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all children age 6 months to 59 months receive a vaccination to protect against influenza.
But until now only two vaccines licensed in the U.S. have been available for children under the age of 5 -- Fluzone, indicated for people over 6 months of age -- and Fluvirin, available for use in children age 4 and older.

FluMist is manufactured by MedImmune Vaccines Inc. of Gaithersburg, Md.

--
Copyright 2007 by United Press International.