Only influenza vaccine approved for self- or caregiver-administration at home, expanding options for influenza protection

WILMINGTON, Del. / Sep 20, 2024 / Business Wire / FLUMIST^® has been approved in the US as the only self-administered influenza vaccine. FLUMIST, a needle-free nasal spray, was approved to be self-administered by adults up to 49 years of age or administered by a parent/caregiver to individuals 2-17 years of age.¹

The approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was based on a comprehensive submission, which included results from a usability study demonstrating that individuals over 18 years of age could self-administer or administer FLUMIST to eligible individuals 2-49 years of age.¹

Ravi Jhaveri, MD, Division Head, Infectious Disease; Virginia H. Rogers Professor in Infectious Diseases, Professor of Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases), Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, US, said: "For the first time, families and caregivers will be able to protect themselves against influenza with a needle-free, self-administered vaccine, from the convenience of their own home. Each year, influenza poses a significant burden for people, society and health systems; additional tools to increase access to vaccinations, while also reducing disparities, are critical."

Iskra Reic, Executive Vice President, Vaccines and Immune Therapies, AstraZeneca, said: “The approval of FLUMIST for self-administration is an important step forward in making vaccines more accessible to fight the high annual burden of influenza. For more than 20 years, FLUMIST has been the only nasal spray flu vaccine licensed in the US and now it is also the only vaccine to help individuals, families and communities access an influenza vaccine conveniently through self- and caregiver administration outside of traditional healthcare settings.”

Seasonal influenza causes up to 1 billion infections each year and may result in severe outcomes for about 3-5 million patients including hospitalizations, complications and death.² Influenza has been shown to impact school attendance and employment with 47% of days of school and 1-2 days of work missed annually.^3,4 Vaccination rates for influenza have declined in adults in the US since the 2020–21 season by 3.3%.⁵ In a US survey, a common reason for adults not to receive a vaccination included failure to attend regular well-care visits, while having access to at-home vaccination options were shown to potentially increase influenza vaccination uptake.⁶

Once available, individuals 18 and older will be able to have FLUMIST delivered directly to their homes via FLUMIST Home. FLUMIST Home will utilize an online pharmacy where eligible individuals complete a questionnaire that is reviewed by a pharmacist prior to receiving their vaccine for shipment. FLUMIST will continue to be available in offices and pharmacies for administration by healthcare professionals. More information is available at www.FluMist.com.

Important Safety Information

• You should not get FLUMIST if you: have a severe allergy to eggs or to any inactive ingredient in the vaccine; have ever had a life-threatening reaction to influenza vaccinations; or are 2 through 17 years old and take aspirin or medicines containing aspirin – children or adolescents should not be given aspirin for 4 weeks after getting FLUMIST unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise.
• Children under 2 years old have an increased risk of wheezing (difficulty with breathing) after getting FLUMIST.
• Tell your healthcare provider if you or your child: are currently wheezing; have a history of wheezing if under 5 years old; have had Guillain-Barré syndrome; have a weakened immune system or live with someone who has a severely weakened immune system; have problems with your heart, kidneys, or lungs; have diabetes; are pregnant or nursing; or are taking antiviral drugs for the treatment of influenza.
• The most common side effects are runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and fever over 100 °F.

Approved Use

FLUMIST is a vaccine that is sprayed into the nose to help protect against influenza. It can be used in children, adolescents, and adults ages 2 through 49 years. FLUMIST may not prevent influenza in everyone who gets vaccinated.

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

You may report side effects related to AstraZeneca products.

Notes

Influenza

On average, about 8% of the US population becomes ill from influenza each season, with a range of between 3 percent and 11 percent, depending on the season.⁷ During the 2022-2023 influenza season, an estimated 31 million people developed illness from influenza, 14 million visited a healthcare provider for influenza, with 360,000 hospitalizations, and 21,000 deaths.⁸

About FLUMIST Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine

FLUMIST is a live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), which is administered as a nasal spray for the prevention of influenza. FLUMIST is an Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended influenza vaccine option. FLUMIST was originally approved in the US in 2003 and since then almost 200 million doses have been distributed around the world.¹

Human Factors Usability Study for FluMist Self Administration

In FDA-required human factors/usability studies, AstraZeneca evaluated if individuals 18 through 49 years of age could appropriately administer FLUMIST when given instructions for use. The results showed that 100% of intended users administered a full dose. In addition, data show that efficacy, immunogenicity and adverse events with self-administration of FLUMIST are similar to that seen with HCP-administered vaccination.^1,9 The FLUMIST label has been updated to provide additional instructions for ordering and administration for eligible self and caregiver use. Children 2-8 years of age with an uncertain vaccination history may not be eligible for caregiver use and should consult their healthcare provider for further information.¹

AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 125 countries, and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information, please visit www.astrazeneca-us.com and follow us on social media @AstraZeneca.

References

1. FluMist Prescribing Information. March 2024.
2. World Health Organization. Influenza (Seasonal. URL: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza(seasonal)#:~:text=There%20are%20around%20a%20billion,infections%20are%20in%20developing%20countries.
3. McLean, HQ, Peterson, SH, King, JP, Meece, JK, and Belongia, EA. School absenteeism among school-aged children with medically attended acute viral respiratory illness during three influenza seasons, 2012-2013 through 2014-2015. Influenza Other Respi Viruses. 2017; 11, 220–229. https://doi.org/10.1111/irv.12440
4. Blanchet Zumofen, MH., Frimpter, J. & Hansen, S.A. Impact of Influenza and Influenza-Like Illness on Work Productivity Outcomes: A Systematic Literature Review. PharmacoEconomics 41, 253–273 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40273-022-01224-9
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu Vaccination Coverage, United States, 2022–23 Influenza Season. URL: https://www.cdc.gov/fluvaxview/coverage-by-season/2022-2023.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/coverage-2223estimates.htm
6. Anderson EL. Recommended solutions to the barriers to immunization in children and adults. Mo Med. 2014 Jul-Aug;111(4):344-8. PMID: 25211867; PMCID: PMC6179470.
7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key Facts About Influenza (Flu). URL: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/keyfacts.htm
8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preliminary Estimated Influenza Illnesses, Medical Visits, Hospitalizations, and Deaths in the United States — 2022–2023 Influenza Season. URL: https://www.cdc.gov/flu-burden/php/data-vis/2022-2023.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/2022-2023.htm
9. Burgess, T.H., Murray, C.K., Bavaro, M.F., Landrum, M.L., O'bryan, T., Rosas, J.G., Cammarata, S.M., Martin, N.J., Ewing, D.F., Raviprakash, K., Mor, D., Zell, E.R., Wilkins, K.J., & Millar, E.V. (2015). Self-administration of intranasal influenza vaccine: Immunogenicity and volunteer acceptance. Vaccine, 33 32, 3894-9 . DOI:10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.06.061