Experts share different views on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent decision to expand its approval of FluMist, allowing the influenza nasal spray to be self-administered for the first time.
“For those interested in self- or caregiver-administration, the vaccine manufacturer plans to make the vaccine available through a third-party online pharmacy,” said the FDA. These people would be screened to see if they are eligible. If they are, a third-party pharmacy will write the prescription and ship the vaccine to the address provided by the individual.
People can also find a health care provider to administer it to them. Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told The Epoch Times that the new approval may encourage vaccination, particularly in people who are afraid of needles or intramuscular inoculations.
“Many younger people who are used to dealing with the internet and having all kinds of packages sent to them may find this attractive,” he added, since not all doctors would be ordering the nasal spray vaccine. Pediatrician Dr. Renata Moon, a board member of the American College of Pediatricians, disagreed with the FDA’s approval.
The FDA states that the pharmacy can write the prescription for the vaccine. “Pharmacies are now allowed to practice medicine?” Dr. Moon said in an email to The Epoch Times.
She argued that this new decision could circumvent informed consent discussions betwee.