Written on: September 28, 2024 by SprayTM
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved FluMist from AstraZeneca as the first self-administered influenza vaccine. A needle-free nasal spray, FluMist was approved for the prevention of influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and B in adults up to 49 years of age or administered by a parent/caregiver to youths 2-17 years of age.
Sprayed into the nose, FluMist was initially approved by the FDA in 2003 for use in individuals aged five through 49, and in 2007, the FDA approved the use of FluMist to include children 2–5 years of age. While the vaccine previously had to be administered by a pharmacist or other health care provider, the new FDA approval makes FluMist the first vaccine for use at home.
Iskra Reic, Executive VP, Vaccines & Immune Therapies, AstraZeneca, said, “The approval of FluMistfor self-administration is an important step forward in making vaccines more accessible to fight the high annual burden of influenza.”
A prescription is still required to receive FluMist, which is expected to be available next year, according to AstraZeneca. The two approved options for receiving FluMist are to have the vaccine administered by a health care provider in a health care setting (including a pharmacy) or it may be administered by the vaccine recipient or a caregiver who is 18 years of age or older. For those interested in self- or caregiver-administration, AstraZeneca plans to make the vaccine available through a third-party online pharmacy. Those who choose this option will complete a screening and eligibility assessment when they order FluMist.
