The Influenza Vaccine…What No More Flu Mist?!

For the past several years, we pediatricians were thrilled to have the option of offering families the Flu Mist. The children loved us for it too!  A quick nose spray instead of a shot, which protected them from the influenza.  A nasty respiratory illness.  But now, the Flu Mist is gone.

So what happened????  Luckily, the CDC tracks the effectiveness of our influenza vaccines and the Flu Mist just didn’t work as well.  In addition, we now know that there are some strains of influenza where the Flu Mist didn’t work at all.  Sorry kids, we are now back to the injectable influenza vaccine.

The good news is that with the injectable, our children will be better protected from this year’s potential influenza spread.  The bad news lies in availability.  After millions of Flu Mist doses canceled, we pediatricians are increasing our supply of injectable to make sure that the community gets enough for all children and on time.

We now have to back track and let children know that unfortunately, yes, they do need another shot!  Providers are building up their arsenal of tricks to help parents and children slowly but surely overcome their fear of shots and needles.  Here are few techniques that parents can use to ease this event:

• Some children do better with little or no anticipatory information regarding the shots. You as a parent know your child best so decide how much time in advance to announce a trip to the clinic for a flu shot.
• The injectable comes with a very, very small needle and without denying that it hurts, a child’s imagination is usually worse than the reality. The flu vaccine is more like a pinch to their upper arm.
• On a scale of 1 to 10, the influenza vaccine is about a 2 to 3. The illness can be an 8.
• Blowing bubbles (which most pediatricians have on hand) also helps distracts the child.
• Other story telling distractions, jokes etc. at the time of the injection also helps.
• For more severe case there is a cream which, when applied one hour in advance, can numb the injection site. Be aware though, that this is cream is by prescription only, costly and not covered by insurance (i.e. parents pay for it) and totally up to your pediatrician’s discretion.  Most kids really don’t need this.

In my experience, reassuring the child that as they grow they become more capable and are better able to tolerate injections, is the key.  This sense of empowerment can help them overcome not only the shots but other everyday hurdles of life.

This is the silver lining to saying goodbye to the Flu Mist, and of course, better protection for our children.

Onward,

Dr. de Freitas

Author of Jake’s Kindergarden Checkup

For more information visit jakeskindergartencheckup.com.
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Founder of Healthy Chats, Dr. Chrystal de Freitas is a pediatrician, author and mother of three children who has a special interest in health education. She completed her pediatric training at the University of Washington, in Seattle, WA, and has been in private practice for 22 years. She practiced with North County Health Services in Encinitas, for 6 years. In 2004, Dr. de Freitas opened her solo private practice of pediatrics, Carmel Valley Pediatrics in San Diego, CA.