Thursday, March 28, 2024

Timer

Flu needle or inhaler?

First Published:

[projekktor id=’25085′]

Summer isn’t over yet, but now is the time to start thinking about flu vaccinations for your kids. There are two options, the flu shot and a nasal spray vaccine, but the Centres for Disease Control, says they are no longer recommending the spray because it doesn’t do a good job protecting people. However, a study by McMaster University researchers found that contrary to those recent reports, the flu nasal spray provides the same protection as a standard shot.

The trial was conducted over a three year period by researchers from McMaster and what they found directly challenges recommendations from the Centres for Disease Control. Dr. Mark Loeb and his team travelled to Hutterite colonies in Western Canada. They randomly assigned nearly 1200 children with either the spray or the shot. The results are not consistent with the CDC’s findings.

“In contrast to what had been previously reported, they both were pretty equal. In other words, the nasal spray protected not better and not worse than the shot in the arm.”

Dr. Loeb says their results will be passed along to the Centre for Disease Control and the findings will be used to help make future decisions on influenza vaccinations.

“They said their recommendation not to use the nasal spray was interim so they are going to be looking at data from all over the world including our trial.”

But at least until the fall of 2017, the CDC will maintain their stance against a needle-free vaccination program.

More Top News

Parents outraged by changes to Niagara’s school bus transportation policy

Changes to the Niagara Region's school bus transportation policy has left many parents outraged. Starting Sept. 3, the walk distance for secondary students will be...

1 person in critical condition after house fire in Hamilton’s east end

One person has been hospitalized in critical condition after they were found without vital signs in a burning home in Hamilton’s east end Thursday...

Bullet casings confirm shooting occurred on Hamilton Mountain

The discovery of spent bullet casings has confirmed that a shooting took place on Hamilton Mountain late Tuesday, police say. Shortly after 8 p.m., officers...

Federal offender known to frequent Hamilton at large, again

The OPP are searching for a federal offender they say is known to frequent the Hamilton area. 31-year-old Daniel Hale is described as an Indigenous...

Four Ontario school boards sue Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok

Four of Ontario's largest school boards are suing the parent companies of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok alleging the social media platforms are disrupting...

No injuries after fire at Niagara’s Best Inn hotel

A fire at Niagara's Best Inn hotel broke out late Wednesday. Emergency crews were called out to the structure fire on Ferry Street around 10:30...

Parents outraged by changes to Niagara’s school bus transportation policy

Changes to the Niagara Region's school bus transportation policy has left many parents outraged. Starting Sept. 3, the walk distance for secondary students will be...