No Doctor Needed: US Approves Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine for Self-Use

No doctor? No problem.

In a pioneering move, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a nasal spray flu vaccine for self-administration.

Starting next autumn, AstraZeneca's FluMist, which has been authorised since 2003 for administration by healthcare providers, will be available to the general public through online pharmacies.

The needle-free spray will be dispatched following a screening assessment.

"Today's approval of the first influenza vaccine for self- or caregiver-administration offers a new option for receiving a safe and effective seasonal influenza vaccine, potentially providing greater convenience, flexibility, and accessibility for individuals and families," stated Peter Marks, a senior official at the FDA.

Individuals aged 18 and over will be permitted to administer the vaccine to themselves or others, and it is approved for use in anyone aged between two and 49.

FluMist is formulated using a weakened strain of the live influenza virus.

According to the World Health Organization, seasonal influenza results in approximately a billion infections each year, contributing to up to 650,000 deaths.

Since the 2020-21 season, vaccination rates have fallen by 3.3 percent; however, a recent survey suggests that at-home vaccination options could encourage higher uptake.