The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Friday a groundbreaking decision to authorize the at-home use of the FluMist nasal spray vaccine. This development is particularly significant for individuals who are hesitant about needles, as it provides a more accessible and potentially lifesaving alternative to traditional flu shots.
With this new approval, parents and caregivers can now administer the FluMist vaccine to children, while adults will also have the option to self-administer it without needing to visit a healthcare facility. Although it will still require a prescription, the vaccine is expected to be available through online pharmacies by next fall.
AstraZeneca, the manufacturer of FluMist, plans to launch a dedicated website where users can complete a questionnaire that will be evaluated by a pharmacist before the nasal spray is shipped directly to their homes. The FluMist vaccine will continue to be available for in-office administration by healthcare providers as well. Currently, the out-of-pocket cost for a single dose ranges from approximately $35 to $45, but this may vary based on individual insurance plans.
Dr. Peter Marks, the director of the FDA’s vaccine center, emphasized the importance of this approval, stating, “Today’s authorization of the first influenza vaccine for self- or caregiver-administration provides a new option for receiving a safe and effective seasonal influenza vaccine, potentially offering greater convenience, flexibility, and accessibility for individuals and their families.”
To ensure the safety and efficacy of at-home administration, the FDA required AstraZeneca to conduct studies evaluating the clarity of their instructions and the feasibility of self-administration. The results indicated that it is indeed feasible; however, the agency recommends that caregivers administer the nasal spray to children aged 2 to 17 years.
The impact of influenza is significant, with the severity of its toll varying considerably from year to year. According to an FDA summary based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hospitalizations for flu-related illnesses have fluctuated between 100,000 and 700,000 annually from 2010 to 2023. Furthermore, the annual death toll attributed to the flu has ranged from approximately 4,900 to 51,000 individuals.
