A live-virus nasal flu vaccine, FluMist, was licensed by the FDA in June 2003 and initially approved use in healthy people between the ages of five and 49. It was subsequently approved by the FDA for use in children as young as two years of age but with precautions. In 2014, CDC officials recommended FluMist be the influenza vaccine given to children between two and eight years of age but, in 2016, the CDC recommended that FluMist not be given to children or adults of any age because the vaccine had been found to be ineffective. In February 2018, however, the CDC approved a new formulation of FluMist as an option for the 2018-2019 flu season despite a lack of vaccine efficacy studies. FluMist is prepared by introducing influenza viruses into eggs where they multiply. FluMist is a live virus vaccine and does not contain any preservatives. The vaccine will be available for the 2024/2025 flu season.
