Young patients may now obtain the nasal spray "Fluenz" in order to vaccinate against influenza. The vaccine is a simple spray in each nostril. Apart from the comfort and simplicity, the other big difference to the usual vaccine is that the nasal spray is a live vaccine, explains Dr. Isabel De La Fuente from Luxembourg City's children's clinic. It is therefore not recommended for children with a very weak immune system and for those with a strong allergy to eggs.
In general, the nasal spray is well tolerated by patients but, as with every vaccine, some children might experience reactions such as muscle pain, a cold, fever or fatigue.
As with the flu vaccine injections, the nasal spray will be offered free of charge. "Fluenz" may be obtained at the paediatrician or at the CHL childrens' clinic. Others can be obtained via prescription at the pharmacy. In Canada, the vaccine is permitted to be used by adults as well, but that is not the case in the Grand Duchy.
In countries such as France or Great Britain, health advice has long recommended the vaccine for all children aged 2–17, not just the medically vulnerable. Now Luxembourg's Superior Council of Infectious Diseases and paediatricians have followed suit.
The goal is to protect children from infections or more severe illness, as even young patients could experience complications as a result of the flu, warns Dr de la Fuente. The children's clinic records between 70 and 120 hospitalisations a year for flu patients and, while it is rare, flu can in some cases be fatal.
The vaccine should not only protect young people, but also prevent the flu from spreading in society.
