What is the live attenuated influenza vaccine?
The live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) is made from weakened influenza viruses. It protects against viruses that cause influenza, often called the flu. The vaccine does not protect against other viruses or bacteria that cause colds or stomach flu. In addition to LAIV, there are several inactivated influenza vaccines available in B.C. The inactivated vaccines are made of killed influenza viruses. For more information, see HealthLinkBC File #12d Inactivated Influenza (Flu) Vaccine. All of the vaccines are approved by Health Canada.
In B.C., influenza vaccines are usually available in October. For your best protection, get immunized as soon as possible. Speak with your health care provider to find out when the vaccines are available or visit ImmunizeBC https://immunizebc.ca/clinics/flu to locate a flu clinic.
Who should get the vaccine?
In B.C., LAIV is provided free to children 2 to 17 years of age who are at risk of serious illness from influenza. This includes:
- All children 2 years to less than 5 years of age
- Children 5 to 17 years of age with certain medical conditions, including:
- Heart or lung disorders that require regular medical care, such as mild to moderate asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cystic fibrosis
- Kidney disease, chronic liver disease such as hepatitis, diabetes, cancer or anemia
- Health conditions causing difficulty breathing, swallowing or a risk of choking on food or fluids, such as people with severe brain damage, spinal cord injury, seizures or neuromuscular disorders
- Those who are very obese
- Indigenous children
The vaccine is also provided free to children 5 to 17 years of age who are household contacts of those who are at risk of serious illness from influenza. A list of those at risk of serious influenza illness is provided in HealthLinkBC File #12d Inactivated Influenza (Flu) Vaccine. Children who will be visitors to health care facilities and other patient care locations can also get the vaccine for free.
To find out if your child is eligible for LAIV, talk to your health care provider or call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1.
If your child is not eligible for free influenza vaccine, you can buy it at some pharmacies and travel clinics. People 18 to 59 years of age can also buy the vaccine.
How is the vaccine given?
LAIV is given as an intranasal spray into both nostrils. Children 9 years of age and older need 1 dose of vaccine. Children 2 to 8 years of age who have never received a seasonal influenza vaccine need 2 doses. The second dose of vaccine is important to raise their level of protection and should be given 4 weeks after the first dose.
What are the benefits of getting the vaccine?
The vaccine is the best way to protect against influenza, a serious and sometimes fatal infection. When you get immunized, you help protect others as well by reducing the spread of the influenza virus.
What are the possible reactions after the vaccine?
LAIV contains weakened influenza viruses and may cause mild influenza symptoms but these are much milder than those due to influenza infection. Symptoms may include a runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat and fever. Other symptoms can include headache, decreased appetite, weakness, muscle soreness, chills, vomiting, stomach ache and irritability.
It is important to stay in the clinic for 15 minutes after getting any vaccine because there is an extremely rare possibility, less than 1 in a million, of a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This may include hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the throat, tongue or lips. Should this reaction occur, your health care provider is prepared to treat it. Emergency treatment includes administration of epinephrine (adrenaline) and transfer by ambulance to the nearest emergency department. If symptoms develop after you leave the clinic, call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
It is important to always report serious or unexpected reactions to your health care provider.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare condition that can result in weakness and paralysis of the body’s muscles. It most commonly occurs after infections. In rare cases, GBS can also occur after some vaccines. GBS may be associated with influenza vaccine in about 1 per million recipients.
Who should not get the live attenuated influenza vaccine?
Children less than 2 years of age, and people who are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, should not get the vaccine.
Speak with your health care provider if your child:
- Has an immune system weakened by disease or medical treatment
- Has severe asthma or active wheezing
- Had a life-threatening reaction to a previous dose of influenza vaccine, or any part of the vaccine (people with egg allergies can be safely immunized)
- Developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) within 8 weeks of getting any influenza vaccine without another cause being identified
- Is required to take Aspirin® or ASA for long periods of time due to a medical condition
- Is receiving an immune checkpoint inhibitor to treat cancer
People who will have contact with anyone who has a very weak immune system, such as a bone marrow transplant patient, within 2 weeks of being immunized should receive the inactivated influenza vaccine. If such contact can be avoided, they may receive LAIV.
There is no need to delay getting immunized because of a cold or other mild illness. However, if you have concerns speak with your health care provider.
What is influenza?
Influenza is an infection of the upper airway caused by the influenza virus. A person with influenza is at risk of other infections, including viral or bacterial pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs.
Influenza spreads easily from person-to-person through coughing, sneezing, or having face-to-face contact. The virus can also spread when a person touches tiny droplets from a cough or sneeze on another person or object and then touches their eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.
What is the Influenza Prevention Policy?
B.C. has an Influenza Prevention Policy to protect high risk people from influenza. Health care workers are required to get immunized against influenza or wear a mask when they are in patient care areas during the influenza season. Students, volunteers and visitors to health care facilities and other patient care locations are also expected to wear a mask if they did not get an influenza vaccine.
Mature Minor Consent
It is recommended that parents or guardians and their children discuss consent for immunization. Children under the age of 19, who are able to understand the benefits and possible reactions for each vaccine and the risk of not getting immunized, can legally consent to or refuse immunizations. For more information on mature minor consent see HealthLinkBC File #119 The Infants Act, Mature Minor Consent and Immunization.
For More Information
For more information, see the following HealthLinkBC Files:
- HealthLinkBC File #12a Why Seniors Should Get the Inactivated Influenza (Flu) Vaccine
- HealthLinkBC File #12b Facts about Influenza (the Flu)
- HealthLinkBC File #12c Influenza (Flu) Immunization: Myths and Facts
- HealthLinkBC File #12d Inactivated Influenza (Flu) Vaccine
For more information on immunizations visit ImmunizeBC at https://immunizebc.ca/.
