The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is once again recommending FluMist Quadrivalent for vaccination against common influenza virus strains.1 The intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) protects against four flu viruses: an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and two influenza B viruses.2
During the last two flu seasons FluMist was not recommended, because prior studies indicated it was not as consistently effective as the injectable inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV). But new analysis shows that while the injectable is more effective against H1N1 when compared with FluMist, they are equally effective against H3N2 and the two influenza B viruses. And with child influenza-related deaths at an all-time high last year, the CDC hopes that having FluMist as an option may boost vaccination rates.3 This is echoed by the American Academy of Pediatrics who, although recommend the injectable as the primary choice for vaccination, agree that it offers an alternative option for those who would not otherwise be vaccinated.4
For treatment of influenza cases, a new antiviral is in review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with an expected decision date of December 24, 2018.5 Baloxavir marboxil, developed by Roche and Shionogi and recently approved in Japan, is for treatment of influenza infection in people 12 years old and older. It is given orally as a one-time dose, and kills influenza A and B viruses within 24 hours. The antiviral reduces the time span until the patient stops shedding the virus – with great potential to limit the spread of influenza.
