The US Food and Drug Administration has given the green light to the first at-home flu vaccine, a nasal spray that US consumers with a prescription will be able to order online from next year. The spray is not recommended for people aged 50 and older.
Health experts say the convenience of the spray, called FluMist, could lead to increased flu vaccination rates.
The maker of the vaccine, AstraZeneca, said it would supply the vaccine to a third-party online pharmacy where people could complete a screening assessment to determine if they are candidates. The pharmacy will then evaluate patients’ eligibility and decide if they are able to administer the vaccine.
FluMist is the only nasal flu vaccine, but it is not new, reports The Washington Post. The FDA approved it in 2003 for people aged five to 49 before expanding eligibility in 2007 to children as young as two-years-old, requiring in both instances that it be administered by a vaccine provider.
Consumers will still be able to get FluMist from a medical provider, but if someone chooses to do it at home, the person giving it needs to be 18 or older. It’s administered by simply spraying once up each nostril.
Experts said people with a fear of needles might especially benefit from the availability of a nasal spray version of the flu vaccine that can be taken at home.
“This is the only needle-free option. Many who forgo vaccination due to injection fears will be able to get vaccinated in a much easier way with self-administration,” said Scott Roberts, an infectious-disease physician at Yale School of Medicine.
Despite the seeming ease of use of the nasal spray vaccine, some experts worry inadequate storage and incorrect self-administration might hinder effectiveness.
“I am concerned that many people won’t administer it properly, but at least that’s better than not getting vaccinated at all, so overall I’m optimistic this is a step in the right direction for public health,” Roberts added.
Since FluMist’s approval more than two decades ago, studies have found the nasal spray and flu shots have similar effectiveness.
But during the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic, the nasal spray was found to be less effective, according to follow-up studies. This research led a CDC advisory panel to recommend against using FluMist during the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 flu seasons because of previous years of low effectiveness against H1N1 flu.
FluMist contains attenuated live viruses, which are weakened forms of the flu virus that cannot cause illness. This is why people with weakened immune systems, those who are pregnant and people with certain medical conditions, are not eligible for the vaccine, as they may be at risk of adverse side effects.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Children benefit more from nasal spritz than flu shot
Reformulating flu jab easier said than done, say experts
Over-the-counter nasal sprays may prevent full-blown flu – UK study