DICKSON CITY -- It may be a bit early to be thinking about flu season, but the Centers for Disease Control released information this week that may change your decision to get a flu shot in a few months.
The CDC says a form of the flu shot meant for kids has been virtually ineffective.
Pediatricians we talked to say they were surprised by the data the CDC released on Wednesday. It shows that the nasal spray version of the flu vaccine was almost completely ineffective for kids ages 2 to 17.
The nasal spray has become a very popular option at doctors' offices.
“You know, we were a little bit surprised," said pediatrician Dr. Timothy Welby. "It wasn’t that effective the year before, but this was sort of remarkable in how much less effective it was last winter.”
The CDC says in kids 2 to 17, the spray did almost nothing to prevent the flu, so Dr. Welby says his practice -- Pediatricians of NEPA in Dickson City -- won’t offer the popular alternative to the flu shot.
"We won’t be offering it here in our office, I’m not sure about other providers, but, with that level of ineffectiveness I can’t imagine people are going to offer it.”
We shared this news with parents. Many moms we talked to don’t get a flu shot for their kids. And after hearing this news, they’re even more hesitant to do so.
Lauren Rowlands was thinking about getting her two kids a flu vaccination for the first time after she got the flu last winter.
“It was awful And i would never wish that on anyone!”
But Rowlands son isn’t a fan of shots, so she sees this as one less option to try to keep her kids healthy
“I would hope the nasal spray would be the best option because it seems so simple and easy. I wouldn’t want to have to have them go through the shot, but if they felt it was more effective with the shot, and the pediatrician agreed with it, I would seriously consider it.”
Doctors and pharmacists we talked to say that this year’s flu shot won’t be available until late August, and despite this news, they still recommend vaccinating for the flu.
