This year’s flu season was one of the worst we’ve seen in some time, and it’s still not quite over. While the flu shot wasn’t as successful as we hoped, there is good news for next year’s flu season – nasal spray FluMist will be available.
For the past two flu seasons, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has not recommended FluMist. FluMist, from MedImmune, has not been recommended for use due to data showing poor or relatively lower effectiveness from 2013 through 2016. However, after a recent meeting, the ACIP voted in favor of a renewed recommendation for the use of FluMist for the prevention of influenza in the 2018-2019 season.
How is FluMist to be administered?
FluMist is indicated in patients 2 to 49 years of age and is to be given by a healthcare professional as one spray in each nostril. You don’t need to sniff and can breathe normally while you get the FluMist vaccine. You don’t need to sniff and can just breathe normally while you get the vaccine.
How does it work?
Flumist works by triggering your immune system to build defenses (called antibodies) throughout the body to help fight against the flu virus.