You Can Now Give Your self a Flu Vaccine At House. What You Have to Know Earlier than Making an attempt

FluMist, a nasal spray model of the flu vaccine, is now accessible for many individuals for dwelling supply. The vaccine various has been utilized in clinics for years and was accepted by the Meals and Drug Administration for at-home use in 2024.

“It’s the identical vaccine because the one that you simply get within the healthcare setting,” a spokesperson from AstraZeneca, the producer, advised Well being. “The distinction is just that it’s shipped to your door at a time of your selecting and [it comes with] acceptable steerage round the best way to take it successfully.” 

Right here’s what to find out about FluMist—and whether or not medical doctors suggest it over the standard flu shot.

Like in-office FluMist, the at-home model—known as FluMist House—is accepted for most individuals ages 2 to 49. It’s accessible for supply this flu season in 34 states.

Not like conventional flu photographs, which include inactive influenza, the nasal spray features a weakened model of the dwell virus. “Once you get the nasal spray within the nostril, it’s a dwell virus that’s been tamed so it simply stays within the nostril and may’t get down into the lung and trigger influenza,” William Schaffner, MD, a professor of preventive medication and infectious ailments at Vanderbilt College, advised Well being.

You may retailer FluMist in your fridge till you’re prepared to make use of it. To manage it, it’s a must to spray about half of the pre-filled bottle into every nostril.

“The largest benefit is comfort,” Schaffner mentioned. “A dad or mum doesn’t should take their youngsters to the pediatrician’s workplace or a public well being clinic to get the vaccine. It places the ability within the palms of the affected person.” 

The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention didn’t suggest FluMist for the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 flu seasons as a result of research confirmed it wasn’t as efficient as the standard flu shot at defending in opposition to H1N1, a pressure of influenza A that brought about the 2009 swine flu pandemic. Since then, nonetheless, AstraZeneca up to date FluMist with new substances that higher goal that particular virus. 

However in keeping with Asha Okay. Shah, MD, MS, the director of infectious ailments and hospital epidemiologist at Stamford Well being, there have been “restricted effectiveness estimates” in the US concerning FluMist. “Primarily based on knowledge from different nations,” she advised Well being, “safety from the nasal spray vaccine is much like that of ordinary inactivated flu vaccine in youngsters.”

That’s particularly the case for kids eight and youthful, Schaffner mentioned. “Past that, it’s much less sure,” he agreed.

It’s additionally necessary to take into account that the effectiveness of any flu vaccine is dependent upon how properly the strains match those circulating that specific season. Even when the strains are properly matched, the standard flu vaccine solely reduces the chance of sickness by about 40% to 60%.

In line with the FDA, the commonest negative effects of FluMist are: 

Fever over 100°F in youngsters ages 2 via 6
Runny nostril and nasal congestion 
Sore throat in adults 

FluMist is “a miracle of contemporary science, however it may well trigger just a little little bit of a runny nostril and sore throat,” Schaffner mentioned.

To obtain FluMist, you will need to order it on-line from AstraZeneca. After filling out details about your medical historical past and insurance coverage (if relevant), a healthcare supplier opinions the knowledge and determines if you happen to’re eligible to obtain the vaccine.

Per AstraZeneca, FluMist is free below most business insurance coverage, however you’re required to pay a processing and cargo charge of $8.99.

It’s finest to seek the advice of your physician to find out if you happen to or a cherished one is an efficient match for FluMist. 

The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention recommends that sure individuals not use FluMist, together with:

Youngsters aged 2 to 4 with bronchial asthma or a historical past of wheezing prior to now yr
Youngsters aged 2 to 17 taking salicylate- or aspirin-containing regimens
Those that are immunocompromised, have cerebrospinal fluid leaks, or have cochlear implants

For all different adults, the standard flu vaccine can also be extra acceptable—however as a result of it’s been proven to be more practical, mentioned Shah.

Nonetheless, Shah doesn’t low cost FluMist solely. It “could also be choice in wholesome sufferers who’ve an aversion to needles or could have obstacles to receiving an in-office conventional flu vaccination,” she advised Well being. “It’s higher to get a FluMist vaccine than no flu vaccine in any respect.”