The United States on Friday authorized the first flu vaccine to be administered by self-administered, without the help of a health professional, in the form of a nasal spray.
The FluMist vaccine is produced by the AstraZeneca group. It has already been authorized for several years by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people aged 2 to 49 years.
Minor children are not supposed to administer it to themselves, but their parents or caregiver can do so.
This is a “new option for receiving a safe and effective seasonal flu vaccine that is potentially more convenient, flexible and accessible for individuals and families,” said FDA official Peter Marks.
A prescription will still be required to obtain the vaccine, through an online pharmacy, the FDA detailed. This option will be available starting next fall, AstraZeneca specified.
The vaccine will contain instructions for use, which have been evaluated in a study to ensure they are well understood.
This authorization is “an important step towards making vaccines more accessible,” said Iskra Reic of AstraZeneca.
The main side effect of the vaccine, which contains a live, weakened virus, may be fever in children 2 to 6 years old.
Nearly 200 million doses have already been distributed worldwide in the past, according to the company. The vaccine is called “Fluenz Tetra” in France.
Influenza can be dangerous for at-risk populations, especially the elderly or young children. Each season is different in terms of health consequences.
Influenza killed between 4,900 and 51,000 people annually between 2010 and 2023 in the United States, according to U.S. health officials.
