Nasal spray vaccine prevents flu and ear infections.

Researchers have discovered that a nasal spray vaccine effectively prevents the flu in children and has proven highly effective at preventing ear infections. According to Robert B. Belshe, professor of internal medicine, director of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, and director of the Center for Vaccine Development. Saint Louis (Mo.) University School of Medicine, "The result is a major breakthrough in the battle to immunize children against influenza without the fear or pain of a shot. Perhaps just as important, the vaccine prevented otitis media [ear infections] in the study children. We were surprised by the magnitude of the reduction near infections." Of the 1,070 children who received the vaccine in the study, just one developed an ear infection and fever.

"Ear infections are triggered by a virus. We think it starts by having a mild to severe respiratory infection, like the flu. The eustachian tube swells and traps fluid near the middle ear. This gives bacteria a chance to multiply and cause disease. So, preventing the flu in turn prevents the ear infections."

As most parents know, ear infections can be...