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CIDRAP part of study on nasal flu vaccine

Three CIDRAP staff members were part of a national study called SchoolMist held during the 2004-05 flu season. The study investigated the impact of broad-based administration of FluMist intranasal influenza vaccine to eligible children in the elementary school setting. Kris Moore, MD, MPH, CIDRAP's medical director, was prinicipal investigator. She was assisted by CIDRAP staffers Elizabeth McClure, MD, and Joan Rambeck, RN, CNP.

The Minnesota portion of the study was conducted in elementary schools in St. Cloud during the 2004-05 school year. SchoolMist was a public health impact study. Its overall goal was to determine whether giving FluMist in the school setting could reduce absenteeism rates and/or illness rates in family members during the annual influenza season. Results will be used to inform national childhood influenza vaccination policies.

Enrollment in the SchoolMist study was very active, and the investigators were pleased with the participation rate. In addition to recording data on the vaccinations given, the investigators collected information on illness rates among school children and their family members, worktime lost by parents, and medical visits for illness during the peak of the influenza season.

FluMist is a licensed vaccine for healthy people aged 5 through 49 years and has been shown to be safe and effective in preventing influenza. The study was sponsored by MedImmune, Inc., maker of FluMist vaccine. Results will be published in the near future.