The U.S. Approves First Home-Use Nasal Flu Vaccine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved AstraZeneca's nasal flu vaccine that can be used at home by consumers. The 'FluMist' spray is the first vaccine for preventing influenza that does not require administration by healthcare workers. Influenza is a common and highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, typically circulating during the fall and winter. This vaccine was first licensed in 2003 for administration by healthcare personnel. 'FluMist' contains a weakened form of circulating strains of live influenza virus and is sprayed into the nose. Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that influenza resulted in 9.3 to 41 million illnesses, 100,000 to 710,000 hospitalizations, and 4,900 to 51,000 deaths annually between 2010 and 2023. The FDA emphasized that individuals aged 2 to 17 should not self-administer 'FluMist' and must receive it from a caregiver or guardian. This vaccine still requires a prescription and is expected to be available through online pharmacies starting next fall. AstraZeneca, which produces this vaccine, stated that it will launch a site where individuals can fill out a questionnaire to have their conditions reviewed by a pharmacist before the vaccine is sent to their homes. The current cost of 'FluMist' for a dose is approximately $35 to $45, which may be lower depending on insurance coverage. Several other pharmaceutical companies, including 'Sanofi', are also developing flu vaccines in this form. A new wave of COVID-19 infections; updated COVID-19 vaccines have been approved in the U.S. The authorization for the use of old COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. has been revoked. A WHO official stated that the world must live with COVID forever. Who needs to get the flu vaccine and when?