INTRANASAL FLU VACCINE (FLUMIST)
FluMist, known as Influenza Vaccine Live, Intranasal, is a live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) administered as a nasal spray. FluMist contains three strains of the flu virus for the 2025-2026 flu season: an A(H1N1) virus, an A(H3N2) virus, and a B/Victoria lineage virus. FluMist serves as an appealing needle-free alternative to the traditional flu shot, especially for those who are apprehensive about injections.
FluMist is indicated for healthy individuals aged 2 to 49 years, making it particularly suitable for children and young adults without chronic health conditions. However, there are specific contraindications to consider. It is not recommended for use in:
- children under 2 years of age
- adults 50 years and older
- pregnant women
- individuals with significant allergies to any component of the vac- cine or a history of allergic reactions to previous influenza vaccines
- those with weak immune systems due to underlying health conditions or those on immunosuppressive therapies
- children and adolescents aged 2 to 17 who are on aspirin therapy should not take FluMist because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome
- those with asthma or active wheezing
Despite being generally well-tolerated, FluMist can cause mild side effects such as a runny nose or nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, cough, low-grade fever, and muscle aches. Serious side effects are very rare but warrant medical attention if symptoms like allergic reactions or difficulty breathing occur.
Ultimately, FluMist provides a convenient effective less intrusive option for flu prevention in eligible populations, contributing significantly to efforts to curb seasonal influenza.
