New nasal vaccine

摘要

A LIVE attenuated influenza vaccine, administered as a nasal spray, has been launched for children and adolescents from 24 months up to 18 years of age.Marketed as Fluenz by AstraZeneca, the prescription only medicine is the first needle-free flu vaccine. It should be given at a dose of 0.2ml (0.1ml per nostril). For children who have not previously been vaccinated against seasonal flu, a second dose should be given after an interval of at least four weeks.Steve Tomlin, consultant pharmacist at the Evelina Children's Hospital in London, told The Journal: "It is great to see a product come out with a specific paediatric indication and designed with the child in mind.