FluMist is approved for healthy people ages 5 to 49, though the company seeks expanded approval for use in children as young as 1 as long as they don't have a history of wheezing or asthma. (AHA wonders why people over 49 are not advised to take this vaccine..............)

MedImmune said the new formulation should be available in August, in time for the 2007-2008 flu season. The company is based in Gaithersburg, Md.

According to the CDC, the live viruses in the nasal-spray flu vaccine (LAIV-Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine) are attenuated, cold-adapted, and temperature sensitive. What does this mean? Attenuated means the viruses are weakened and will not cause severe symptoms often associated with influenza illness. Cold-adapted and temperature sensitive mean the viruses can grow in the nose and throat, but not in the lower respiratory tract where the temperature is higher. (It appears it is o.k. to have live viruses in the nose and throat, and how does one stop the growth from eventually growing into the respiratory tract?)

Who can be vaccinated with the nasal-spray flu vaccine (LAIV)? Once again the CDC states that the
LAIV is approved for use in healthy people between the ages of 5 and 49 years. (How many people are truly healthy when they get vaccines? How many get tested to see how well their immune systems are doing? Why can't people over 49 use this nasal-spray flu vaccine?)

Who should NOT be vaccinated with the nasal-spray flu vaccine (LAIV)?

• People less than 5 years of age
• People 50 years of age and over
• People with a medical condition that places them at high risk for complications from influenza, including those with chronic heart or lung disease, such as asthma or reactive airways disease; people with medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney failure; or people with illnesses that weaken the immune system, or who take medications that can weaken the immune system.
• Children or adolescents receiving aspirin
• People with a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare disorder of the nervous system
• Pregnant women
• People with a history of allergy to any of the components of LAIV or to eggs

AHA believes in questioning medications rather than just accepting what the media and FDA allow the people to know. Each individual's health is unique, therefore medications must be questioned for the highest good of that individual. How can anyone predict future flu seasons? Why will people have to take vaccines?

Once again, Authentic Health Association would rather inform people about sustaining wellness and lifestyle practices that build and maintain health.