New flu vaccine for kids and teens a nasal spray

If your children are afraid of needles, they can still get the flu vaccine later this year with a little less worry and fuss.

Starting on Monday, Oct. 26, the province will offer this year's flu vaccine to children and youth aged two to 17 as an optional nasal spray, instead of the typical injection to the arm.

The nasal spray flu vaccine will help offer protection against four flu viruses instead of three. The added protection comes against an additional B-strain of the flu virus, which affects children and youth more frequently than adults.

Parents still have the option to vaccinate their children using an injection. The new injection for children and youth aged six months to 17 years will also protect against the same four flu viruses as the new nasal spray.

The flu vaccine for adults will remain available in an injectable form, with protection against the three flu viruses most likely to circulate during the flu season.

Ten to 20 per cent of Canadians get sick with the flu every year. It is estimated that 12,200 people are hospitalized and about 3,500 die.