AstraZeneca launches at-home FluMist nasal spray delivery
AstraZeneca is making flu protection more convenient with the launch of an at-home delivery option for FluMist, its nasal spray flu vaccine, the company announced Friday.
On the market since 2003, FluMist was previously only available at pharmacies or doctors' offices.
Beginning Friday, eligible customers can order it online and have it shipped directly to their door, allowing some parents to vaccinate their children at home without shots or a trip to the pharmacy.
“This 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,” Joris Silon, U.S. country president and senior vice president of AstraZeneca, said in a statement.
Here is what to know about FluMist and the new, at-home option.
What is FluMist nasal spray?
FluMist is a live attenuated vaccine that comes in the form of a nasal spray as a needle-free option for those who qualify.
This vaccine has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration since 2003 for use in a healthcare facility or pharmacy.
The FDA approved FluMist for self- and caregiver-administration in September 2024, after research showed adults over 18 could safely and effectively administer it to eligible individuals.
It is the first flu vaccine ever approved for self or caregiver-administration at home for those who qualify.
Who is eligible to use FluMist?
FluMist is FDA-approved for home use with caregiver administration for kids 2-17 years old and self-administration at home for adults 18 to 49 years old.
Some people with certain underlying health problems may need to use a different type of vaccine including those with weakened immune systems. This type of vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women.
Generally, anyone who interested in this at-home option should first ask their doctor if it’s right for them or their child before use, especially those with underlying health problems or people with weakened immune systems in their household.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that this type of vaccine may not be right for kids who have asthma or young children less than 5 who have a recent history of wheezing. It can also pose a health risk for any child who is taking aspirin or aspirin- or salicylate-containing products.
The FDA says FluMist is not recommended for children under 2 years of age due to an increased risk of wheezing and breathing problems after vaccination and is not recommended for those over 49 years old because it has not been shown to be effective in this age group.
AstraZeneca also notes that kids who are 2-8 years old with an uncertain vaccine history may not be eligible for caregiver use and should consult a doctor for further vaccination information.
What is the cost of FluMist?
The vaccine still requires a prescription.
AstraZeneca said people will access the vaccine by filling out a medical screening questionnaire through their online pharmacy called FluMist Home. It does not require a video visit.
The cost may vary based on an individual’s insurance plan, but most plans are expected to cover the vaccine at no cost.
Consumers will be subject to cost for shipping and processing per order that the manufacturer said is less than $10 for up to 4 doses of the vaccine.
Why is a flu vaccine important?
The CDC continues to recommend that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine this fall.
AstraZeneca said it hopes the needle-free option and at-home convenience will help boost vaccination rates this year.
In the 2023-24 flu season, only 55.4% of kids 6 months to 17 years old received at least one dose of the flu shot which was a 2% decrease compared to the previous season. CDC data shows the last time flu shot coverage for kids was this low was during the 2011-12 season.
Similarly flu vaccination coverage among adults 18 years and older has steadily declining since the 2020-21 flu season and coverage was only about 45% during the 2023-24 flu season.
Last year's flu season saw the highest number of flu-related deaths for children for a non-pandemic year -- 267 -- since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, according to the CDC.
Health experts stress that vaccination remains the best protection against the virus.
Jade A. Cobern, MD, MPH, is board-certified in pediatrics and general preventive medicine, and is a medical fellow of the ABC News Medical Unit.
