Some health care workers have to stay home after getting the nasal mist vaccine to protect against the swine flu. The mist can cause sneezing and a runny nose, so those health care providers who work around patients with severely compromised immune systems should stay home for seven days after getting the mist.
It is a recommendation by the CDC, says Doctor Wilma Wooten, from the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency. "An extra, precautionary step," she calls it. "We don't have any documentation of health care providers transmitting it to a person who is immune compromised." She added that this is not a precaution taken for seasonal flu.
Given that some health care workers should stay home after getting nasal mist, County Supervisor Ron Roberts had questioned why school children are getting it. After all, they too could come into contact with friends with compromised immune systems or even pregnant teachers, who are at high risk.
"The risk (of transmission) is low for children," said Wooten, just as it is for health care workers.
"I feel comfortable with the answer, " he said, after talking with the county and with his daughter who is an emergency room doctor. "
"The worst thing possible is for kids not to have the nasal mist or the shot."
