The nasal spray flu vaccine will be an option again next year. After hours of debate and new data, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, meeting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, voted to re-introduce FluMist as an option for flu vaccination next year.

The nasal spray vaccine lost its recommendation status two years ago after it was shown to be ineffective. Studies conducted by the CDC showed that one component of the vaccine, the one that targets H1N1 flu viruses, was not protecting people who got the vaccine.

FluMist is the only non-injected flu vaccine licensed in the United States. Though it had appeared the vote would be close, in the end it was not.

As for the flu shot this year, it's estimated overall effectiveness of 36 percent is below the 40 to 60 percent range expected when the vaccine is well matched to circulating viruses.

Children tend to prefer the nasal spray vaccine to the shot,  although experts say they have not seen a decline in vaccination rates in children since FluMist was removed as an option. The number of pediatric deaths from influenza has climbed to at least 84, according to the CDC's latest report.