The current treatment for needle phobia is to safely and slowly test the fear. However, this new vaccine has the potential to help people receive flu shots without triggering their phobia.

But uptake has fallen in recent years; last season, only about half of adults and children got their annual flu vaccine. FluMist is the only needle-free option available for flu vaccination in the US.

WASHINGTON - It's flu vaccine time again - and some lucky shot-seekers will find that the needle has shrunk. The first flu shot that works with a less-scary skin prick instead of an inch-long ...