WASHINGTON: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a nasal spray influenza vaccine for self-administration, marking a significant advancement in public health options for flu prevention.
The approval allows AstraZeneca’s FluMist, previously only available through healthcare providers since its authorization in 2003, to be accessed directly by the public starting next fall.
The needle-free vaccine will be available through online pharmacies, with shipments following a screening assessment to ensure safe use.
Peter Marks, a top official at the FDA, highlighted the importance of this approval, stating, “Today’s approval of the first influenza vaccine for self- or caregiver-administration provides a new option for receiving a safe and effective seasonal influenza vaccine potentially with greater convenience, flexibility, and accessibility for individuals and families.”
The FluMist vaccine is approved for individuals aged two to 49, and anyone over the age of 18 will be permitted to administer it to themselves or to others. The vaccine is based on a weakened form of live influenza virus and has been shown to be effective in preventing seasonal flu.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that seasonal influenza leads to approximately one billion infections annually, resulting in up to 650,000 deaths worldwide. Vaccination is a critical tool in mitigating these figures, but recent data reveals a decline in vaccination rates.
Since the 2020-21 season, the rate has dropped by 3.3 percent. However, surveys indicate that the introduction of at-home vaccination options could significantly enhance uptake.
Public health experts are optimistic that this new self-administration option will empower more people to protect themselves against the flu.
