The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Friday that it has authorized the first nasal spray flu vaccine, FluMist, produced by AstraZenecathat patients can self-administer without professional assistance.
FluMist contains a weakened form of live strains of the influenza virus that is sprayed into the nasal passages, making it the first that can be self-administered or be administered by a professional.
The director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Peter Marks, said in a statement that the approval of the drug provides a new option to receive a safe and effective seasonal flu vaccine that is more convenient, flexible and accessible for individuals and families.
Influenza is a common, contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus that normally circulates in the fall and winter.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Influenza caused between 9.3 and 41 million cases each year between 2010 and 2023During the same period, there were between 100,000 and 710,000 hospitalizations and between 4,900 and 51,000 deaths per year due to this disease.
The FDA said patients will need a prescription to get FluMist and that minors Children aged two to 17 should not self-administer the vaccinebut they must receive it from a caregiver. This nasal spray flu vaccine option is expected to be available in 2025.
Flu
The flu is a respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus, which affects Spain every year, especially during the autumn and winter season, from October to March. The strains of influenza that circulate each year can vary, making annual vaccination important, especially for vulnerable groups such as people over 65, people with chronic diseases and health personnel.
Every year, the autonomous communities carry out vaccination campaignsusually from October, to prevent serious complications, hospitalizations and deaths. On average, the flu affects hundreds of kilometers of people in Spain, with peaks during the colder months.
Flu symptoms
Flu symptoms usually appear suddenly and can vary in severity. Below we detail the most common symptoms:
- High fever (usually between 38°C and 40°C)
- Chills and sweating
- Muscle and body pain (especially in the back, arms and legs)
- Severe headache.
