Health officials say Americans should not be lulled into complacency about the flu just because recent flu seasons have been mild.

Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said that even mild flu seasons cause thousands of deaths. Experts say the flu kills about 36,000 people a year.

And this year, there's a flu shot option for the needle phobic.

Gerberding said the country is falling short of its immunization goals. She said less than 70 percent of seniors get their shots, and less than 30 percent of people with some chronic diseases.

Gerberding spoke Tuesday at a news conference held by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases and the National Coalition for Adult Immunizations. Both are backed in part by pharmaceutical companies.

Just in time for flu season, a new option is debuting that literally takes the sting out of your next vaccination.

FluMist is a nasal vaccine that is sprayed into the nostrils in a fine mist.

"For quite a few people who are needle phobic, then it's a very good option for those people," Dr. Lowell Phipps said.

Despite the obvious benefit, there are some drawbacks to FluMist. There are age limitations -- you must be between 5 and 49 years old. You also have to be healthy.

The spray also uses the live influenza virus. However, in 30,000 test cases, no one ever came down with the flu.

FluMist also costs considerably more than traditional flu shots.

"Most insurance companies aren't covering it, so it is more money out of your pocket," Phipps said. "It costs around $70 for the vaccination, while a flu shot will cost from $15 to $30, depending on where you get it."

But for some people, like 13-year-old Sarah Cude, protection without the pain maybe worth the higher price.

"It's a lot better than getting a shot," Sarah said.