SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Flu season is here and one of the tools that keep people from getting sick may be getting easier to use, an at-home flu vaccine.
AstraZeneca is seeking FDA approval for its nasal vaccine to be self-administered.
"It's pretty exciting news,” said Sonya Frausto, pharmacist, and owner of Ten Acres Pharmacy. “I think anytime we can get more patients vaccinated would be... thumbs up in my corner for sure."
While a nasal flu vaccine is not new, being able to give yourself the vaccine at home would be a game changer.
“It's one spray in each nostril once a year, which is really, really nice, especially for children who have not liked to get vaccinations or even there are some adults that would prefer to get a nasal spray than a vaccine,” said Frausto.
AstraZeneca's nasal flu vaccine “FluMist” has been available for 20 years and is suitable for most people ages two to 49.
“I have patients who absolutely love it,” said Frausto. “I'm in Sacramento. I have patients that come from Davis, from the Carmichael area, because we are one of the few pharmacies that do carry ‘FluMist’, and it is covered by the insurance companies.”
Previously, those who wanted the flu vaccine had to get it through pharmacies and doctors' offices and have it administered by medical professionals.
Giving yourself the vaccine could be a new challenge.
“One of the things we'd have to be sure of is making sure that the patients have clear instructions how to give the ‘FluMist,’ because it can be a little bit tricky when you're giving it in the nasal cavity,” said Frausto.
Also, it is a live vaccine, so certain patients and those who are immunocompromised cannot get it. There would need to be some screening questions provided to the patient to make sure that they are eligible to get the vaccine and administer it at home.
“Having the patient be in control of getting this vaccine and giving it to themselves just expands the access and also expands, I think, the comfort level, bringing them part of the healthcare system,” said Frausto
Dr. Frausto said October and November are the best times to get vaccinated for the flu. Keep in mind, that each year the flu affects nearly one billion people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
The CDC recommends everyone six months and older get an annual flu vaccine.
