CDC panel recommends flu nasal vaccine for children 2+

ATLANTA -- A Centers for Disease Control advisory panel has recommended the "FluMist" nasal vaccine for children as young as two years old.

The decision means thousands of low-income kids may be able to get the nasal vaccine for free.

The Food and Drug Administration approved FluMist for kids under five last month, but parents should be aware, it's a different vaccine than the shot and may produce side effects.

Pediatricians say it'll make their job easier.

"It takes one of those shots away from sort of the armament or packet of immunizations we give. So it makes it a little easier. Fewer tears. Parents are happier," explained pediatrician Dr. Denice Cora-Bramble.

FluMist is a weakened live virus not a dead one, like the flu shot.

That means patients can get mild symptoms including runny nose and low-grade fever.

FluMist's manufacturer explained why.

"The flu virus comes at you through the nose. And so we're providing protection at the point of attack, if you will, by giving the vaccine in the nose and inducing an immune response right there where the virus, the flu virus, is going to come in," said MedImmune's Frank Malinoski.

Justin Hoffner tried it, but didn't like it.

"I had a really bad sore throat and runny nose and I didn't feel good at all," the ten-year-old said.

Because FluMist has been recommended by the CDC panel poor kids covered under the "Vaccines For Children" act may now get it free.

MedImmune said they're doing more studies to see if FluMist can be used on kids even younger than two, and on adults over 50.