General Medicine

FDA Approves Self-Administration of Influenza Vaccine FluMist

Diana Ernst, RPh
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Publish Date
Eligible individuals will be able to have the vaccine shipped to their homes for self-administration.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved at-home self- or caregiver-administration of FluMist (influenza vaccine live, intranasal).

FluMist® is a nasally-administered influenza vaccine that is indicated for active immunization to prevent influenza disease in individuals 2 to 49 years of age. The approval for self-administration was supported by data from a usability study that showed individuals aged 18 years and older could self-administer FluMist or administer it to younger individuals without any additional guidance; 100% of the intended users had administered the full dose. 

For those interested in receiving FluMist at home, AstraZeneca plans to make the vaccine available through an online pharmacy. Individuals will need to complete a questionnaire that will be reviewed by a pharmacist. If eligible, the vaccine will be shipped to the person’s home for administration. For individuals 2 to 17 years of age, FluMist must be administered by a caregiver.

“Today’s approval of the first influenza vaccine for self- or caregiver-administration provides a new option for receiving a safe and effective seasonal influenza vaccine potentially with greater convenience, flexibility and accessibility for individuals and families,” said Peter Marks, MD, PhD, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.  

According to AstraZeneca, FluMist will continue to be available for administration by a health care provider in physician offices and pharmacies.

This article originally appeared on MPR

References:
  1. FluMist approved for self-administration in the US. News release. AstraZeneca. September 20, 2024. https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2024/flumist-approved-for-self-administration-in-the-us.html.
  2. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves nasal spray influenza vaccine for self- or caregiver-administration. September 20, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-nasal-spray-influenza-vaccine-self-or-caregiver-administration.