Flu vaccines are a little different this year.

Dr. Luther Rhodes, an infection specialist with Lehigh Valley Health Network, said the nasal spray version of the influenza vaccination is not being offered this year.The reason? It has to do with the live viruses in the spray.Scientists discovered that with the live viruses, one of thesubtypes was multiplying so fast that immune systems built up a strong defense against it, but almost nothing for the other three viruses."It was like they took a placebo" for the other three viruses, Rhodes said.There are other improvements, too. Lehigh Valley Health Network is using only the egg-free version of the vaccine. This makes it possible for people who have experienced an allergic reaction to egg protein to get vaccinated without concern."People aren't allergic to viruses," Rhodes said. It was the egg protein that caused the reaction.And last but not least, people with an aversion to needles can ask for an intradermal injection."It's almost painless," he said. "The needle is almost invisible to the naked eye."- Kristine Porter