Now that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the flu vaccine spray FluMist for home use, how do you know it’s the right choice for you and your family?
An expert advises on the effectiveness of sprays and how to tell if FluMist is your best bet against Haemophilus influenzae. Importantly, this spray will not be available for home use until the fall of 2025.
FluMist was first approved for home use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in September. At this time, only health care providers can administer the spray.
So what exactly is FluMist?
This is a live influenza vaccine that contains influenza viruses that are attenuated against the three main vaccine strains. Approved for children 2 years and older and adults up to 49 years.
Dr. Pedro Piedra, Professor of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, said: “Instead of injections, there are live vaccines that are administered by spraying into the nose, which produce a good immune response and make the nose and respiratory system more susceptible to influenza.” We can prepare properly.” and the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
Piedra said the FluMist spray is intended for healthy children and adults, but it can also be effective for people who are reluctant to get shots.
“The immune response is good for both children and adults. As with any vaccine, a small number of people may experience local reactions. “It can be a pain, etc. that is replicated in the nasal cavity,” he said in a Baylor news release.
Regarding efficacy, Piedra said Flumist is as effective as an inactivated vaccine in the target age group. However, this spray is not for people who are immunocompromised or immunocompromised. The spray may also cause wheezing if administered to children under 5 years of age with a history of wheezing.
“Also, older children and adults with severe lung disease should ask their doctors if there is an alternative vaccine that does not make them more susceptible to wheezing symptoms,” Dr. Piedra noted. “While it is possible to get a flu shot that does not affect the respiratory system, live vaccine sprays may.”
If you plan to get Flumist nasal spray, do not take antiviral medications for at least two weeks. This is because the weakened influenza virus reacts to antiviral drugs and negates the vaccine’s response.
Also, children should not take aspirin immediately after vaccination because it can cause Reye’s syndrome, which affects the liver and brain after the flu. As with other vaccines, Flumist should not be given to people who have a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine’s ingredients.
When Flumist becomes available for home use next fall, people will be able to control when they receive the vaccine.
“You can decide when to get vaccinated with little impact on your daily life,” Piedra said.
He added that caution should be taken when using Flumist in the homes of immunocompromised patients. If you are still unsure whether to use the spray, please consult your doctor.
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Citation: What you need to know about FluMist, the nasal flu vaccine (October 26, 2024), from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-10-flumist-nasal-flu-vaccine.html 10/2024 Retrieved on March 26th
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