Which vaccine to get:

Flu shot or FluMist®?

The best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year. There are two types of vaccines that protect against the flu:

• Flu shot.
• Nasal-spray flu vaccine (sometimes referred to as Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine, LAIV or FluMist®).

FluMist nasal spray may offer longer and better protection against mismatched strains, such as when the flu vaccine doesn't exactly cover the flu virus strains that are going around that year. 

Similarities	Flu shot	FluMist
How often needed?	Annually.
Protects against?	Three strains of the flu virus including Influenza A and Influenza B.
How effective is it?	Prevents 60 to 90 percent of all influenza cases.
Who shouldn't get it?	People who get a serious reaction to eggs or egg protein. People who have had a serious, life-threatening reaction to a previous flu vaccine. People with a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Children younger than 6 months old. People with a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever. (If you are ill, you should wait until you have recovered to get vaccinated.)
Can it cause the flu?	No.
How does it work?	Both vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body. These antibodies provide protection against the flu virus.
Does it work right away?	No. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop and provide protection.
Differences	Flu shot	FluMist
What's in it?	Influenza virus proteins (killed virus).	Live, weakened influenza viruses.
How is it given?	Needle injection (into arm or leg).	Nasal spray.
Approved for what age groups?	Anyone older than 6 months.	Ages 24 months through 49 years old.
Who cannot get it?		People with asthma. People younger than 2 years. People older than 50 years. People with chronic heart or lung disease. People with diabetes or kidney failure. People with illnesses that weaken the immune system or who take medications that can weaken the immune system. Children younger than 5 years old with a history of recurrent wheezing. Children or adolescents who take Aspirin. Pregnant women. People caring for others with severely weakened immune systems.
Common side effects?	Soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site. Mild fever or muscle aches.	Children may experience a mild fever, muscle aches, runny nose, headache, wheezing and vomiting. Adults can experience runny nose, headache, sore throat or cough.
Does it contain Thimerosal?	The flu shot given at Oak Creek Pediatrics is Thimerosal-free.	No.