Nasal Flu Shot Approved for Self-or Caregiver Administration at Home

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced it approved the nasal influenza vaccine FluMist® for self- or caregiver-administration by adults. This innovative flu shot is sprayed into the nose and has been used safely and effectively for many years.

It is the first influenza vaccine that does not need to be administered by a healthcare provider. 

FluMist has been FDA-approved for preventing influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and B in individuals 2 through 49 years of age for two decades. It was initially approved by the FDA in 2003. In 2007, the FDA approved using FluMist to include children 2 through 5.

Iskra Reic, Executive Vice President of Vaccines and Immune Therapies, AstraZeneca, said in a press release, “The approval of FluMist for self-administration is an important step forward in making vaccines more accessible to fight the high annual burden of influenza."

The vaccine may be administered by a health care provider in a health care setting (including a pharmacy) or by the vaccine recipient or a caregiver who is 18 years of age or older. Vaccine recipients and caregivers who administer FluMist will receive the vaccine, the Prescribing Information, Information for Patients and their Caregivers, and Instructions for Use. 

“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, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, in a press release on September 20, 2024.

FluMist remains available at various clinics and pharmacies for the 2024-2025 flu season.

AstraZeneca markets FluMist® under the Fluenz® Tetra brand internationally.