FDA Considers Allowing Self-Administration of Nasal Flu Vaccine
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently reviewing the possibility of allowing individuals to self-administer the FluMist nasal spray flu vaccine at home, according to a report from CNN. AstraZeneca, the manufacturer of the vaccine, has submitted a request for approval, and the FDA is expected to make a decision in the first quarter of next year.
FluMist has been the only FDA-approved nasal spray flu vaccine on the market in the US since 2003. AstraZeneca’s request is based on a “utility study” which demonstrates that adults aged 18 to 49 can safely administer the vaccine themselves, as well as administer it to children under 2 years old. If approved, this would be the first self-administered flu vaccine available without the need for a healthcare professional.
If the FDA gives the green light, patients would be able to order the vaccine through an online pharmacy system. The vaccine would then be packaged in temperature-controlled containers and delivered straight to their homes. Dr. Lisa Glasser, US Head of Medicine, Vaccines, and Immunotherapies at AstraZeneca, expressed confidence in obtaining FDA approval, citing the success of the nasal swab test during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to the current options of receiving the vaccine in hospitals or pharmacies, self-administration of the Flumist vaccine could be an additional method available during the 2024-2025 flu season. This comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older receive a seasonal flu vaccine annually, despite less than half of Americans adhering to this recommendation.
Dr. Aaron Glatt, spokesperson for the Infectious Diseases Society of America, welcomed the potential for self-administration and highlighted the advantages of the online ordering system in ensuring that the vaccine is only used by eligible individuals. The CDC has confirmed that Flumist is not suitable for those with weakened immune systems and is only recommended for individuals aged 2 to 49.
However, it will be crucial to have appropriate documentation in place to prevent accidental duplicate dosages or false claims of receiving the vaccine. Dr. Glatt, Director of Infectious Diseases at South Nassau Mount Sinai, emphasized the importance of careful monitoring in this regard.
FluMist works by using a live, weakened version of the flu virus to provide protection against the flu. In contrast, traditional flu vaccines employ alternative methods, such as inactivating the virus or utilizing proteins to train the immune system. AstraZeneca assures that FluMist is equally effective compared to other flu vaccines.
Professor Ashish Jha, Dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health and former White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator, suggests that making vaccines available without the need for syringes could help address vaccine hesitancy. It is estimated that around 10 to 15 percent of individuals may be hesitant to receive vaccinations due to a fear of needles. Therefore, expanding accessibility to self-administered flu vaccines, potentially through pharmacy availability, could contribute to increased vaccination rates.
The US FDA decides to allow self-administration of nasal flu vaccine early next year
Entered 2023.10.25 10:10 Views 471 Entered 2023.10.25 10:10 Modified 2023.10.25 14:10 Views 471
It is anticipated that increasing access to non-injectable vaccines could further increase vaccination rates. [사진=게티이미지뱅크]The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reviewing whether to allow self-administration of the FluMist nasal spray flu vaccine at home, CNN reported on the 24th (local time), based on an announcement by the manufacturer AstraZeneca and an interview with r United States director. Time) This is what was reported.
FluMist is the only FDA-approved nasal spray flu vaccine sold in the US since 2003. AstraZeneca cited a ‘utility study’ when seeking approval to allow adults aged 18 to 49 to self-inject or administer FluMist children under 2 years old. If approved, it would be the first self-administered flu vaccine because the availability study shows people can get the vaccine without a healthcare provider.
If approved, patients would have to order the vaccine through an online pharmacy system, which would then be packaged in temperature-controlled packages, Dr. Lisa Glasser, US head of medicine, vaccines and immunotherapies at AstraZeneca, a British multinational pharmaceutical company. , to CNN It was explained that the included vaccine would be delivered to the home. He expressed optimism about the FDA’s approval, saying, “During the COVID-19 pandemic, we got the nasal swab test in people’s hands and saw them use it successfully.”
AstraZeneca’s FluMist nasal spray flu vaccine. [사진=아스트라제네카 제공]He said the FDA is expected to make a decision on whether to approve Flumist for self-administration within the first quarter of next year. He further explained that, should approval be given, it will be possible to self-administer Flumist in addition to the current method of administration in hospitals or pharmacies during the 2024-2025 flu season.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a seasonal flu vaccine every year, but less than half of Americans get the vaccine. Doctors expected that the vaccination rate would increase once it was possible to administer Flumist to oneself.
Dr Aaron Glatt, spokesman for the Infectious Diseases Society of America, welcomed this and said the online ordering system would provide a way to ensure the vaccine is not used by people who should not be vaccinated. The CDC says Flumist is not suitable for people with weakened immune systems and is only suitable for people aged 2 to 49.
However, documentation will be important to prevent patients from accidentally taking Flumist more than once or saying they received it without actually taking it, said Dr. Glatt, director of infectious diseases at South Nassau Mount Sinai.
FluMist uses a live, weakened version of the flu virus to prevent flu. The regular flu vaccine, on the other hand, uses a different technique to kill the virus or uses proteins to train the immune system to fight the virus. AstraZeneca said FluMist had been shown to be as effective as other flu vaccines.
Professor Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health and former White House COVID-19 response coordinator, said 10 to 15 percent of people may be hesitant to get vaccinated because of syringe phobia, so increasing access to vaccines without syringes. help to increase vaccination rates It was said that it could be increased further. The suggestion is that self-administered flu vaccines would be much more accessible if they were available on pharmacy shelves.
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