AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca image of FluMist.
CNN
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The US Food and Drug Administration is currently reviewing an application submitted by AstraZeneca for the nasal spray flu vaccine FluMist to be self-administered at home. This move aims to make the vaccine more accessible to the public.
FluMist has been available in the United States since 2003, offering the only nasal spray option against the flu. AstraZeneca is requesting permission from the FDA to allow adults aged 18 to 49 to administer the vaccine themselves, as well as to allow children as young as 2 years old to receive the vaccine without the presence of a healthcare provider. This request is based on a “usability study” conducted by AstraZeneca, which demonstrated that individuals can properly administer the vaccine on their own. If approved, FluMist will become the first flu vaccine approved for self-administration.
AstraZeneca’s Dr. Lisa Glasser informed CNN that patients will still need to order the vaccine through an online pharmacy system. The vaccine will then be shipped to their homes in temperature-controlled packaging.
The hope is that by allowing individuals to self-administer the flu vaccine, vaccination rates will increase. Currently, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older receive a seasonal flu vaccine each year, but less than half of Americans actually get vaccinated.
In an interview, Glasser, AstraZeneca’s head of US medical affairs, vaccines and immune therapies, highlighted the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that people are capable of taking more responsibility for their own healthcare. She emphasized that during the pandemic, individuals were able to successfully use nasal swab tests on their own.
AstraZeneca expects the FDA to make a decision regarding the clearance of FluMist for self-administration within the first three months of the next year. If the change is approved, FluMist will be available for self-administration in the 2024-2025 flu season. However, it will still be available through traditional channels, such as administration at a doctor’s office or pharmacy.
While physicians welcome the potential increased accessibility of the flu vaccine through self-administration, they do not believe it will significantly impact vaccination rates. Dr. Aaron Glatt, chief of infectious diseases and hospital epidemiologist at Mount Sinai South Nassau, expressed hope that self-administration could increase compliance but noted that documentation would be crucial to prevent individuals from accidentally receiving the vaccine multiple times.
Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown School of Public Health and the former White House Covid-19 response coordinator, suggested that making a self-administered flu vaccine available for purchase in pharmacies could further enhance accessibility. He also highlighted the potential impact on those who have a fear of needles, stating that increasing needle-free options could boost vaccination rates.
AstraZeneca plans to provide a practical and helpful documentation system for patients and healthcare professionals if the change is approved. The online ordering system will also ensure that the vaccine is not used by individuals who should not take it, as FluMist is only indicated for individuals aged 2 to 49 and not for those with weakened immune systems.
It’s important to note that FluMist uses a live, weakened version of the influenza virus, while injectable vaccines use different technology. AstraZeneca states that FluMist has shown to be as effective as other flu vaccines.
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Overall, while the approval of self-administration for FluMist may have a modest impact, it could increase awareness and potentially lead to the development of easier-to-obtain intranasal vaccines.
