New Delhi: In a first for the US, its Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week approved a nasal vaccine against influenza—in use for over two decades—for self-administration. The vaccine FluMist by British-Swedish pharma giant AstraZeneca has been approved for the prevention of influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and B in individuals aged 2 to 49. “It is the first vaccine to prevent influenza, more commonly known as the flu, that does not need to be administered by a health care provider,” said the FDA in a statement.
FluMist, the only nasal flu vaccine in the US, was first approved in 2003 for individuals aged 5 to 49. In 2007, its eligibility was expanded to include children as young as 2, with both approvals requiring administration by a vaccine provider. The vaccine contains a weakened form of live influenza virus strains and is sprayed in the nose, and a prescription is still required to receive FluMist.
However, there are now two approved ways to receive it: Either by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, such as a pharmacy, or by the recipient or a caregiver aged 18 or older. “The latest approval is a boon as it increases the ease of administration and is likely to be more acceptable to patients. Patients may be more open to taking the vaccine in the comfort of their own homes,” explained Dr Sheetal Chaurasia, consultant, pulmonary medicine, with Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru.
For those interested in self- or caregiver-administr.