This year (the 2020-21 flu season) we have a limited supply of the nasal flu vaccine (Flumist). But there are certain people who absolutely should not get the nasal vaccine and others for whom it may not be a good idea (these people should consult with their physician).
Those who definitely should not get the nasal flu vaccine are people in the following categories:
- Children under 2 years of age
- Children under 18 years of age currently receiving aspirin- or salicylate-containing therapy
- Children under 5 years of age who have had wheezing or asthma in the past 12 months
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to a flu vaccine or flu vaccine ingredient (including gentamicin, gelatin, or arginine)
- People who have a weakened immune system (immunosuppressed, immunocompromised, or on long term oral steroids)
- People who live with or care for a person who is immunocompromised
- People without a functioning spleen
- Pregnant women
- People with a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak into the nose, mouth, ear, or other part of the skull
- People with a cochlear implant
- People who have taken flu antiviral drugs within the last 17 days
Those for whom it may not be a good idea and consultation with a physician is recommended include:
- People over 4 years of age who have asthma
- People with lung, heart, kidney, or liver disease, neurological or neuromuscular disease, or a metabolic disorder (including diabetes)
- People who currently have a fever or are otherwise sick
- People who have been diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome within 6 weeks of a previous flu vaccine
