FluMist Not for Those over 49??

Factual Questions
1

So says its maker and marketeer, MedImmune, Inc. and Wyeth Vaccines. Why not? I can understand that age may be a factor in any medicine, but many over age 50 are in better health and have a better immune system that those under. Why categorically state it is not for those 50 and over? They do say for “healthy people ages 5 to 49,” but why put an age limit on it? Why not for “healthy people over the age of 4”?

(FluMist is a substance you inhale instead of getting a vaccine to prevent flus.)

2

Why is FluMist only for the healthy? First, FluMist is made of live but weakened flu virus considered too risky for people with compromised immune systems; the shot is made of killed virus. The spray’s safety hasn’t been proved in older people or those with chronic illnesses. As for youngsters, a study found those under 5 were at increased risk of suffering asthma-like attacks after FluMist had been squirted up their noses.

3

Yeah, but “older people” is a vague term. 30 is older than 20. 5 is older than 4. OTOH, 50 is younger than 80, as is 66 (my age). My point is that the criteria of “older” is not valid. At least I don’t see the validity of age, per se, being a criterion. If you have a healthy immune system, age should not be a factor, IMHO.