Study: Flu shot better than spray for adults

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hate to get flu shots? A new comparison of flu vaccines gives adults a good reason to roll up their sleeves and get a jab in the arm instead of a squirt in the nose.

In a study of nearly 2,000 healthy adults during a recent flu season, standard shots were twice as effective against regular winter flu as the newer nasal spray, researchers found.

That may not be true, however, for swine-flu vaccines, which may be available first in a spray. Experts say both kinds might be equally effective against the swine flu in children and adults.

Flu shots are made of killed flu viruses that are usually injected into the arm. FluMist, the only government-approved flu nasal spray, delivers a live but weakened strain to the nostrils.

The latest shot vs. spray study echoes previous research that found shots to be superior in adults.