Flu vaccine for children linked to pneumonia risk for relatives.

INFLUENZA vaccines; VACCINATION of children; PNEUMONIA; STREPTOCOCCUS pneumoniae; RELATIVES; VIRAL vaccines

A recent study has found that the nasal flu vaccine given to children can temporarily increase the number of pneumonia-causing bacteria in their noses and the noses of their household members. However, this does not necessarily lead to more cases of pneumonia. In fact, vaccinating children could potentially reduce pneumonia cases during flu season because they would be less likely to catch and spread the flu. The live, weakened virus in the nasal vaccine seems to affect the immune system's ability to control bacteria in the nose. While the study's findings are interesting, it is too early to change health advice based on this research. [Extracted from the article]

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