Refrigerated Version of Inhaled Flu Vaccine Approved

THURSDAY, Jan. 11 (HealthDay News) -- A new formulation of the inhaled flu vaccine FluMist has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Associated Press reported this week.

The new version allows the vaccine to be refrigerated instead of frozen. This will allow more places like schools and pharmacies to store the vaccine, manufacturer MedImmune Inc. told the wire service.

FluMist, first approved in 2003, is sanctioned for people ages five to 49, although its maker is seeking expanded approval for toddlers as young as a year old who do not have respiratory conditions such as asthma, the AP reported.

The company said the new formula should be available by August, well before next winter's flu season.

More information

To learn more about the inhaled flu vaccine, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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