By Marie Rosenthal, MS
Many parents prefer the nasal flu vaccine for their children to avoid the need for a shot, but the vaccine has had its share of ups and downs.
The live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV4) had a preferential use recommendation for children 2 to 8 years old in the 2014-2015 season, which was removed in the 2015-2016 season. Then the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) provided an interim recommendation against its use during the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018