FLUMIST FAQs

Get the facts about frequently asked questions about FLUMIST

Get the facts about frequently asked questions about FLUMIST

For whom is FLUMIST approved for use?

FLUMIST is indicated for patients 2-49 years of age.1

What are the contraindications for FLUMIST?

The FDA-approved label has 2 contraindications: severe allergic reaction (eg, anaphylaxis) to any component of the vaccine including egg protein or after a previous dose of any influenza vaccine; and persons or adolescents receiving concomitant aspirin or aspirin-containing therapy.1

Can patients with asthma get FLUMIST? Are there any risks for wheezing after administration?

Current recommendations state that the live attenuated influenza vaccine should not be used in persons 2-4 years of age who have received a diagnosis of asthma or whose parents or caregivers report that a health care provider has told them during the preceding 12 months that the person had wheezing or asthma or whose medical record indicates a wheezing episode has occurred during the preceding 12 months. Current recommendations caution against use in persons ≥ 5 years of age with asthma.2 The risk of wheezing following FLUMIST administration may be increased in persons of any age with asthma and persons younger than 5 years of age with recurrent wheezing.1 The vaccine was not studied in persons with severe asthma or active wheezing.1

Does FLUMIST cause flu?

No, FLUMIST is designed to not cause flu.1,3 It contains weakened, live viruses that cannot cause flu, like the vaccines for chicken pox and measles.

Can patients catch flu from someone who was just vaccinated with FLUMIST?

No, patients cannot catch flu from someone who was just vaccinated with FLUMIST. The weakened live viruses in the vaccine have been modified and will not cause flu.4

Is sniffing necessary during the administration of FLUMIST?

No, sniffing is not necessary during the administration of FLUMIST.1 While your patients can breathe normally, sneezing, swallowing, or dripping is also OK.1,5

Do patients need to be revaccinated if they sneeze or blow their nose during FLUMIST administration?

No, patients who sneeze or blow their nose during FLUMIST administration do not need to be revaccinated.5 Dripping down the throat, sneezing, or swallowing sometimes happens after vaccination.

Can patients with a minor illness still receive FLUMIST?

Yes, patients with a minor illness (eg, diarrhea or a mild upper respiratory tract infection with or without fever) can still be vaccinated with FLUMIST.3 However, patients with severe nasal congestion that might limit delivery of the vaccine to the nasal lining should wait until they are less congested to get FLUMIST or should be vaccinated with another appropriate flu vaccine.

Is FLUMIST suitable for persons with a weakened immune system?

Persons with weakened immune systems or those living with someone with a severely weakened immune system may not be eligible for FluMist.1,2 You should use your clinical judgment to determine if FLUMIST is appropriate in such cases.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

  • Do not administer FLUMIST to persons who have had a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any component of the vaccine, including egg protein, or after a previous dose of any influenza vaccine, or to children and adolescents through 17 years of age who are receiving aspirin or aspirin-containing therapy
  • In clinical trials, the risks of hospitalization and wheezing were increased in children younger than 2 years of age who received FLUMIST
  • Children younger than 5 years of age with recurrent wheezing and persons of any age with asthma may be at increased risk of wheezing following the administration of FLUMIST. FLUMIST has not been studied in persons with severe asthma or active wheezing
  • If Guillain-Barré syndrome has occurred within 6 weeks of any prior influenza vaccination, the decision to give FLUMIST should be based on careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks
  • The effectiveness of FLUMIST has not been studied in immunocompromised persons
  • The safety of FLUMIST in individuals with underlying medical conditions that may predispose them to complications following wild-type influenza infection has not been established
  • Appropriate medical treatment must be immediately available to manage potential anaphylactic reactions following administration of FLUMIST
  • FLUMIST may not protect all individuals receiving the vaccine
  • The most common solicited adverse reactions (≥10% in vaccine recipients and at least 5% greater than in placebo) reported after FLUMIST were runny nose or nasal congestion (ages 2-49 years), fever >100 °F (children ages 2-6 years), and sore throat (adult ages 18-49 years)

FLUMIST is a vaccine indicated for active immunization of persons 2 through 49 years of age for the prevention of influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and type B contained in the vaccine. FLUMIST is for intranasal administration only.

Please see full Prescribing Information for FLUMIST, including Patient Information.

You may report side effects related to AstraZeneca products.