It's important to note too that although the CDC, along with the WHO, makes recommendations about flu vaccine twice a year (once for the northern hemisphere and once for the southern), which are published as updates by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), it is ultimately the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) who makes the final decisions on what goes into the flu vaccine.
Q: For people with asthma who don't like shots, is it acceptable to just wait & see if the flu comes and then take one of the antiviral drugs to treat it?
a: There are a number of reasons why this strategy doesn't make sense. First of all, the best way to ensure asthma control and respiratory health during flu season is for people with asthma to get a flu shot. Nothing else is as effective at preventing the flu as the flu vaccine.
And FluMist, the nasal spray vaccine, is not an option either for people with asthma. I asked why, and Dr. Bridges told me that there simply is not enough data yet to take a risk with people over age 49, people with chronic illnesses, pregnant women or kids under the age of 2 years. It is probably safe, but some European studies showed some risk of side effects, including Bells Palsy. Until they have more data, we'll need to stick with the flu shot.
Now, about the antiviral flu drugs, such as Tamiflu and Relenza, for treating the flu once you come down with it. When used as prescribed, these drugs are about 70 to 90% effective. They'll also reduce the severity of your flu symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by 1 or 2 days. In addition, they may make you less contagious to other people.
Keep in mind though, that before you realize you have flu symptoms and begin treatment, you are highly contagious and you may transmit the flu to friends, families and co-workers. Also, the antiviral drugs must be started within 2 days of the first flu symptom and then must be taken twice every day for 5 days. Getting treatment started so soon and then sticking with it is hard for a lot of people, which reduces the effectiveness of the treatment.
