| ■ FDA Considers Use of Flumist in Young Children | 07.05.21 |
| Even though it may increase the risk of respiratory problems, the nasal spray flu vaccine Flumist is effective for children under age five, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Currently, the drug is approved for use in healthy people ages five to 49. MedImmune, the company that makes Flumist, wants the FDA to approve the use of the drug in children under age five, the Associated Press reported. In documents posted to its Web site Monday, the FDA said studies show that Flumist appears to prevent influenza in children as young as six months. However, children taking Flumist were more likely to develop wheezing problems than children who received an injectable flu vaccine. The FDA noted that one study found that about three percent of children ages six months to one year who took Flumist were hospitalized for respiratory problems, compared to one percent of children who received a flu shot, the AP reported. A panel of outside experts is scheduled to meet Wednesday to discuss whether the side effects of Flumist warrant limiting its use in young children. The FDA does not have to follow a panel's recommendations, but the agency usually does. |