The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has greenlit the first-ever self-administered flu vaccine, FluMist.
The agency made the announcement on Friday, explaining that FluMist is a convenient nasal spray option instead of a traditional injection. Manufactured by MedImmune and acquired by AstraZeneca in 2007, FluMist was initially approved in 2003 for individuals aged 5 to 49. Its use has since been expanded to include children as young as two.
With this new approval, FluMist became the first flu vaccine that can be administered without the need for a healthcare provider. This innovative spray, which contains a weakened form of flu virus strains, can now be administered by the vaccine recipient or a caregiver who is 18 or older, though a prescription is still required.
Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, expressed enthusiasm for the development:
“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 with greater convenience, flexibility, and accessibility for individuals and families,” he said in a statement.
AstraZeneca plans to make FluMist available through a third-party online pharmacy. The process will involve a screening and eligibility assessment, with the pharmacy handling prescriptions and shipping the vaccine directly to the recipient.
This development comes at a crucial time. Flu vaccination rates in the U.S. have been declining since the COVID-19 pandemic, dropping below 50 percent in the 2022-2023 flu season. The new option for self-administration is a hopeful step toward improving these rates and enhancing public health.
