Las Vegas NowH1N1 Flu Mist Now Offered to Children, Teens and Young Adults

H1N1 Flu Mist Now Offered to Children, Teens and Young Adults

The Southern Nevada Health District has is now offering the H1N1 flu mist to anyone who is healthy between the ages of 2 to 24-years-old.

The change was made Friday after the health district ran out of the injectable vaccine. There has been a much bigger response for the injectable vaccine.

These are the people that can now get the flu mist.

Initially, the mist was only available to children between 2 to 4 years old. Most of those getting vaccinated have avoided the mist over concerns it contains live virus even though the head of the health district says it is just as safe and effective as a shot, which contains a dead virus.

More information from the health district on H1N1 vaccines

"We have plenty of the flu mist right now, but we have a very very small supply left of the injectable," said Dr. John Middaugh, Southern Nevada Health District. About 4,000 doses of the injectable is being saved for pregnant women.

There is currently 23,000 doses of the mist available. Natalie Williamson, who is 16-years-old,  falls into the now expanded group of those allowed to get the mist.

"It was easy and smooth. It went by really quick," said Williamson. She opted to get the mist because fellow students have become ill and she wants to protect herself.

The vaccination clinic at the health district will not be open over the weekend but will re-open on Monday with the mist form of the vaccination. A small supply of the injectable form of the vaccine is expected to arrive late next week.