FDA Approves AstraZeneca’s FluMist as First Self-Administered Flu Vaccine

FDA Approval:
The FDA has approved AstraZeneca's FluMist as the first self-administered flu vaccine in the United States.

Usage:
FluMist can be self-administered by adults up to 49 years old or administered by a caregiver to children aged 2 to 17 years.

Availability:
The vaccine will be available through an online pharmacy, where eligible customers must complete a screening questionnaire evaluated by a pharmacist before the vaccine is dispatched.

Prescription Requirement:
A prescription from a healthcare provider is still required to receive FluMist.

Effectiveness:
AstraZeneca cites data showing that FluMist has comparable effectiveness to other flu vaccines, particularly in European studies.

Rollout:
The self-administered version of FluMist will not be available until next year's flu season at the earliest.

Convenience:
The approval aims to enhance vaccine accessibility and convenience, potentially increasing vaccination rates.

Limitations:
FluMist is not recommended for pregnant individuals, those who are severely immunocompromised, or children aged 2 to 8 with an unclear vaccination history.