CDC published Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)—United States, 2014–15 Influenza Season in the August 15 issue of MMWR. The first paragraph of the report is reprinted below.
This report updates the 2013 recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding use of seasonal influenza vaccines. Updated information for the 2014–15 influenza season includes 1) antigenic composition of U.S. seasonal influenza vaccines; 2) vaccine dose considerations for children aged 6 months through 8 years; and 3) a preference for the use, when immediately available, of live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) for healthy children aged 2 through 8 years, to be implemented as feasible for the 2014–15 season but not later than the 2015–16 season. Information regarding issues related to influenza vaccination not addressed in this report is available in the 2013 ACIP seasonal influenza recommendations…
The report includes the preferential recommendation to use LAIV in healthy children 2 through 8 years of age when the nasal spray flu vaccine is immediately available and if the child has no contraindications or precautions to that vaccine. However, if the nasal spray vaccine is not immediately available, children in this age group should get the flu shot (IIV). Vaccination should not be delayed to obtain the nasal spray flu vaccine.