Nasal flu mist no longer an option, vaccine clinics slated in communities and schools
After data showed the flu mist nasal spray to have poor or relatively low effectiveness from 2013 to 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) announced that the nasal spray is no longer available at this time.
“While it is disappointing to see data suggesting that the nasal spray vaccine is not working as well as expected, we are pleased that flu shots did perform well last season,” State Health Officer Karen McKeown said. “We expect that there will be enough of the injectable vaccine available for the 2016 to 17 season so everyone 6 months and older can protect themselves and their loved ones against the flu.”
How well the flu vaccine works can range widely from season to season and can be affected by a number of factors, including the similarity between vaccine viruses and circulating viruses. The CDC conducts vaccine effectiveness studies each season to gauge the success of a vaccine in preventing the flu virus. Data on the effectiveness of the nasal spray among children ages 2 to 17 during the 2015 to 16 season found that no effective benefit was measured. By comparison, data found the injectable vaccine to be very effective in preventing flu among children in this age group.
During the 2015-16 flu season in Wisconsin, there were approximately 1,800 hospitalizations of people with influenza. Although the start and end date of a flu season can vary, the 2015-16 season peaked in March of 2016.
Flu clinics are being scheduled in Crawford County public as well as private schools.
“Since the nasal mist is no longer available, parents are saying they want time to talk to their children about it,” Public Health Director Gloria Wall said. “Vaccinations are being done at the end of the school day and parents are welcome to be there if they wish.”
To provide easy public access to flu vaccinations, the Crawford County Health Department has scheduled a list of flu clinics in communities around the county, as follows:
•Every Thursday, 10 to 11 a.m., Crawford County health office, county administration building in Prairie du Chien
•Prairie du Chien—Thursday, Sept. 29, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Senior Expo, Hoffman Hall; Monday, Oct. 10, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Bluff Haven
•Eastman—Friday, Oct. 7, 10:45 to 11:30 a.m., Methodist Church
•Ferryville—Thursday, Oct. 20, 2 to 2:30 p.m., Community Building
•Gays Mills—Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Community Room
•Lynxville—Thursday, Oct. 20, 3 to 3:30 p.m., Community Building
•Seneca—Wednesday, Oct. 19, 3 to 4 p.m., Town Hall
•Soldiers Grove—Thursday, Oct. 13, 10:45 to 11:30 a.m., Tazzee’s
•Steuben—Friday, Oct. 14, 2:45 to 3:30 p.m., Jo’s Kountry Bar
•Wauzeka—Friday, Oct. 14, 1:30 to 2:15 p.m., Century Hall
“We’re glad we live in a country where we have vaccinations available and we don’t have to put children and vulnerable adults at risk of getting the flu,” Wall added.
The public health department can bill Medicare, Medicaid and Gundersen Insurance or self-pay is available. If you have any questions, or are unable to make it to one of the clinics, call 326-0229.
