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the flu.

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How can your school use FluMist to help prevent the flu and keep kids in class?

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Who NOSE the nasal way to help prevent the flu?

Preventing the Flu

To help protect you and your family from getting the flu, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following prevention tips:

Take time to get a vaccine.

  • A flu vaccine is formulated to protect against three different flu viruses, making it the best way to defend yourself against the flu.
  • Getting a vaccine is very important for people at high risk for serious flu complications* (infants, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart disease, and people 65 and older), as well as their close contacts.

*Please note: FluMist® is not appropriate for all recommended populations. Children less than 24 months of age are not eligible for FluMist. Individuals with asthma and children under the age of 5 years with recurrent wheezing should not receive FluMist (see Important Safety Information for additional eligibility information). Talk to your healthcare provider to see if FluMist is right for you or your child.

Take precautions every day to stop germs from spreading.

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue away after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If you are not near water, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
  • Stay away from people who are sick as much as you can.
  • If you get the flu, stay home from work or school. If you are sick, keep your distance from other people so you don't make them sick.
  • Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs often spread this way.

Take antiviral drugs if your doctor says you need them.

  • There are flu antiviral drugs that can treat the flu or prevent infection with flu viruses. These drugs must be prescribed by a healthcare provider.
  • For treatment, antiviral drugs should be started within 48 hours of getting sick.
  • For prevention, antiviral drugs are 70% to 90% effective in preventing infection.
  • If you develop flu-like symptoms (usually high fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches), or are exposed to the flu before you get a flu vaccine, your healthcare professional will decide whether you should take antiviral drugs.

Make the first tip your first step in helping prevent the flu in your eligible children — get them vaccinated!

Next: Differences Between Cold and Flu

Important Safety and Eligibility Information

Who may be eligible for FluMist®?

FluMist® is a vaccine approved for the prevention of certain types of influenza disease in children, adolescents, and adults 2-49 years of age. FluMist may not protect everyone who gets it. FluMist is for intranasal administration only.

Who may not be able to get FluMist?

FluMist is not right for everyone. FluMist must not be given to: people with history of hypersensitivity to eggs, egg proteins, gentamicin, gelatin, or arginine; people with life-threatening reactions to previous influenza vaccinations; and children and adolescents receiving aspirin or aspirin-containing therapy.

Children less than 24 months of age are not eligible for FluMist.

The following people may not be able to get FluMist or may be able to get it only in certain situations: people with asthma or active wheezing, or children less than 5 years of age with recurrent wheezing; people with a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome; people with a weakened immune system; people with long-term medical conditions including heart disease, kidney disease, and metabolic diseases, such as diabetes; and pregnant women.

If your child falls into one of these groups, be sure to tell your healthcare provider. They will decide if FluMist is right for your child.

What are the most common side effects of FluMist?

Most common side effects included runny nose or nasal congestion, sore throat, and fever. For a full list of side effects, please see section 6.1 in the accompanying Product Information.