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Flu vaccine for children linked to pneumonia risk for their relatives

Giving children the nasal flu vaccine is linked to more pneumonia-causing bacteria in their noses, which they may pass on, but immunisation is still recommended

By Clare Wilson

14 May 2024

The nasal flu vaccine, offered to children in many parts of the world, contains a live, weakened version of the virus

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The nasal flu vaccine that is often given to children causes a temporary rise in the number of pneumonia-causing bacteria in their noses, which they sometimes pass on to members of their household, a study has found. But this may not actually lead to more pneumonia cases among their relatives.

In fact, given that bacterial pneumonia in older people is often triggered by a bout of flu, vaccinating children…

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