FluMist “Reformulated” But Still Mostly the Same Old Vaccine

On June 22, 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended against using the FluMist live virus nasal spray influenza vaccine, manufactured by AstraZeneca plc subsidiary MedImmune, LLC. The recommendation was based on the determination that FluMist was only three percent effective in protecting children two to 17 years of age against influenza and, thus, provided “no protective benefit.”^{1 2}

Less than two years later, the ACIP reversed it decision on FluMist. On February 21, 2018, the panel voted to recommend FluMist for the 2018-2019 “flu season,” based on a new formulation of the vaccine by MedImmune. The company reportedly changed to a “new H1N1 strain (A/Slovenia) that is producing better antibody responses than the previous strain (A/Bolivia).”^{3 4 5}

The problem is that there was no efficacy data available for the new formulation against H1N1, so it is not known how effective FluMist will be—whether it will be any better than three percent. The recommendation on FluMist is not based on scientific evidence, but rather more on hope. As staff writer Rishma Parpia of The Vaccine Reaction recently wrote, “News reports highlight that ACIP’s discussion was centered on giving FluMist another try.”³

The only thing that is certain and consistent about FluMist are its ingredients. While the H1N1 strain used in the vaccine has been reformulated, FluMist still contains monosodium glutamate (MSG), hydrolyzed porcine gelatin, arginine, sucrose, dibasic potassium phosphate, monobasic potassium phosphate, ovalbumin (OVA), gentamicin, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).^{6 7 8 9}

Most people are probably familiar with MSG. It is often used as a flavor enhancer in foods. Some individuals who are sensitive to the MSG can experience headaches (in some cases, severe), nausea, chest pain, facial pressure and numbness in the face or neck.⁷ Hydrolyzed porcine gelatin is a protein made from the boiled skin or connective tissue of pigs.^{7 10}

Argenine, also known as L-arginine, is an amino acid, which is converted in the body into a chemical called nitric oxide. Nitric oxide causes blood vessels to expand. Argenine also stimulates the release of insulin.¹¹ Sucrose is table sugar.

Dibasic potassium phosphate is “a highly water-soluble salt which is often used as a fertilizer, food additive and buffering agent.”¹² Monobasic potassium phosphate is a “soluble salt of potassium and the dihydrogen phosphate ion which is used as a fertilizer, a good additive and a fungicide.”¹³

Ovalbumin is a glycoprotein. It comes from chicken egg whites.^{14 15 16} So beware all those who have a severe allergy to eggs.

Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic designed to treat bacterial infections.¹⁷

Since the vaccine is grown in chicken eggs, and eggs are not a sterile product, vaccine producers use gentamicin to decrease bacterial growth.⁷

Lastly, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is a plant-based chemical salt. It is an anticoagulant (blood thinner). It is also a preservative which is found in many foods.^{18 19}

The side effects of FluMist curiously enough include “mild flu-like symptoms” such as “headache, low fever, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, tiredness, fatigue, irritability, vomiting, muscle pain, chills, or achiness.” There may also be a loss of appetite and, on a rare occasion, anaphylactic shock.^{20 21}

The good news is that, “just like the shot, the spray will not cause the flu.” That is the official line. Lots of “flu-like” symptoms, but not actual type A or B influenza itself.²²