In a groundbreaking move, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a nasal spray influenza vaccine for self-administration on Friday.
Starting next fall, AstraZeneca’s FluMist, which has been available since 2003 but only through healthcare providers, will be accessible to the general public via online pharmacies.
The needle-free spray will be delivered following a screening assessment.
“Today’s approval of the first influenza vaccine for self- or caregiver-administration offers a new option for receiving a safe and effective seasonal influenza vaccine, potentially enhancing convenience, flexibility, and accessibility for individuals and families,” stated Peter Marks, a senior official at the FDA.
Individuals aged 18 and older will be allowed to administer the vaccine to themselves or to others. It is approved for use in anyone aged two to 49.
FluMist is made from a weakened form of the live influenza virus.
According to the World Health Organization, seasonal influenza leads to around a billion infections globally each year, resulting in up to 650,000 deaths.
Since the 2020-21 season, vaccination rates have decreased by 3.3 percent, but a recent survey suggests that at-home vaccination options could increase participation.
