Seasonal Flu Shots Beat Spray for Adults

For adults, shots are nearly twice as effective as spray vaccine in preventing seasonal flu, a study has found. But that finding may not apply to the new swine flu vaccines that will be available soon. Experts said both kinds may be equally effective in children and adults. The new study looked at the effects of vaccine in 2,000 healthy adults in the last flu season. They were randomly divided into four groups. The groups received flu shots, the FluMist nasal spray, or a placebo (fake) dose of the shot or spray. The flu shot was 68 percent successful at preventing the flu. The spray was about 36 percent effective. The study appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine. The Associated Press wrote about it September 24.