CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that the nasal mist influenza vaccine used by millions should not be administered this coming flu season. ACIP continues to recommend annual flu vaccination, with either the inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) or recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV), for everyone 6 months and older.

The vaccine, FluMist, has not worked in recent years, scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated. The panel reviewed numerous studies that found no evidence the vaccine protected people who had the FluMist administered over the past three flu seasons.

Dr. Joseph Bresee, chief of epidemiology for the CDC’s influenza division, said the problems with FluMist have perplexed CDC scientists and the company, and both are working to try to learn more.

“We don’t really know why we’re observing the low vaccine effectiveness that we are observing,” Bresee said.

For the full CDC statement, click here.