AstraZeneca’s FluMist nasal spray, which was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2003, is now available through prescription for at-home use, a statement issued by the company said Friday.
Newsweek has reached out to the American Medical Association (AMA) for comment on the vaccine on Saturday.
Why It Matters
While it’s not a new vaccine, FluMist Home nasal spray widens the availability to those who may not previously had access.
The at-home option also removes the need for a doctor to administer the vaccine, which public health experts say could increase vaccination uptake by addressing convenience and needle-avoidance barriers.
This comes ahead of the 2025-26 influenza season in hopes to prevent the unusually high caseload seen the previous season.
What To Know
FluMist Home uses the same live attenuated intranasal formulation that is available in clinical settings like doctors’ offices.
The product is approved for children as young as 2 years old and up to adults aged 49. People who are pregnant, immunocompromised, and minors who take aspirin are advised not to take the vaccine, according to the company.
Based on data from October 1, 2024, through May 17, 2025, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that there were up to 82 million flu related cases, 37 million medical visits, 1.3 million hospitalizations and 130,000 deaths across the U.S. during the 2024-25 flu season.
The CDC says the best way to prevent the flu is to get a vaccine, however it’s not available to everyone. Only 34 states, about 80 percent of the eligible population, have the option for the at-home vaccine, according to AstraZeneca’s Friday statement.
“There are a number of states where FluMist Home is unavailable due to local pharmacy laws,” the statement said. “Our aim is to have this service available in all 48 contiguous states in future seasons.”
People over the age of 18 can go online, fill out a medical questionnaire and have the vaccine sent to them for self-administration.
What People Are Saying
Joris Silon, US Country President and Senior Vice President, AstraZeneca, said in the statement issued Friday: “The launch of FluMist Home is a transformational moment in the evolution of influenza protection, bringing a simple and accessible option directly into the hands of consumers. FluMist Home reflects the growing importance of direct-to-consumer offerings and underscores our commitment to continuous innovation, making it easier for people to get vaccinated and stay protected.”
Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children’s Hospital, told CNN Friday: “We learned during COVID how home diagnostic testing became widely accepted and that turned out to be a great public health intervention. Given the low uptake of seasonal flu vaccine in America, I think it is worth exploring some novel approaches.”
What Happens Next?
It is unclear how many people will order the vaccine, but the outcomes of availability will be monitored by public health officials to see if the number of vaccinated patients, the number of cases, and even deaths change amid the newly available home vaccine.
AstraZeneca urges users to report any side effects from taking the FluMist Home.
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