Influenza virus vaccine (nasal)
Generic name: influenza virus vaccine (nasal) [ in-floo-ENZ-a-VYE-rus-VAK-seen ]
Brand names: FluMist Quadrivalent 2021-2022, FluMist, FluMist 2010-2011, FluMist 2011-2012, FluMist 2012-2013,
... show all 13 brands
Dosage form: nasal spray (quadrivalent)
Drug class:Viral vaccines
What is influenza virus nasal vaccine?
Influenza virus ("the flu") is a contagious disease caused by a virus that can spread from one person to another through the air or on surfaces. Flu symptoms include fever, chills, tiredness, aches, sore throat, cough, vomiting, and diarrhea. The flu can also cause sinus infections, ear infections, bronchitis, or serious complications such as pneumonia.
Influenza causes thousands of deaths each year, and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations. Influenza is most dangerous in children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with weak immune systems or health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer.
Influenza virus nasal vaccine (nasal flu vaccine) is for use in people 2 years to 49 years old, to prevent infection caused by influenza virus. This vaccine helps your body develop immunity to the disease, but will not treat an active infection you already have.
Influenza virus vaccine is redeveloped each year to contain specific strains of flu virus that are recommended by public health officials for that year.
Nasal influenza virus vaccine is made from "live viruses." Influenza virus vaccine is also available as an injection (flu shot) which is a "killed virus" vaccine. This medication guide addresses only the nasal form of this vaccine.
Like any vaccine, nasal flu vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.
Warnings
This vaccine is made from "live viruses" and may cause you to have mild flu-like symptoms.
Before taking this medicine
You should not receive this vaccine if you are allergic to eggs, or if you have:
a history of severe allergic reaction to any flu vaccine; or
if you are between 2 and 17 years old and have recently taken aspirin.
Nasal flu vaccine is not approved for use by children younger than 2 years or adults