Report: Flu Vaccine Nasal Spray Is Highly Ineffective

Bad news for needle-hating kids and their accommodating parents: the popular flu vaccine nasal spray FluMist is “ineffective and should not be used in the upcoming flu season," the New York Times reports. That's according to an advisory committee's recommendation to the CDC on Wednesday. FluMist accounts for about a third of all flu vaccinations given to children and was highly recommended at one point, CNN reports. But new data shows it's laughably ineffective against current flu strains to—as one expert puts it—"everyone's surprise and increasing consternation." While flu shots were about 63% effective during last year's flu season, the nasal spray was only about 3% effective. Which, as the Times points out, is "virtually no protection at all." Hopefully pediatricians are stocking up on lollipops. (More influenza stories.)