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Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Health
- Time of India
Scared of needles? AstraZeneca launches FluMist Home nasal spray delivery
Are you one of those people whose whole world starts buzzing and spinning as soon as they see a needle? Well, your trypanophobia (phobia of needles) won't stand in the way of your getting a flu shot to protect your health this fall. How? AstraZeneca now allows Americans to skip the doctor's office and pharmacy lines for their flu vaccine, with no needle required. No phlebotomy, no lines, and way less 'omg-this-is-gonna-hurt.' It's FDA-approved, easy as sniff-and-spray, and ready to deliver – straight to your door. With the launch of FluMist Home, a program that delivers the flu nasal spray directly to your door, you can now get your flu shot sitting on the couch in your PJs. FluMist Home: The game-changer for couch-cruisers What's new this flu season? It's AstraZeneca's game-changer, called FluMist Home: the first-ever at-home nasal spray flu vaccine you can order online. FluMist is a nasal spray influenza vaccine that's been FDA-approved since 2003 and works just as well as the traditional flu shot in preventing infection and serious illness. Previously, you had to get it from a healthcare provider. But with FluMist Home, that has changed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Beyond Text Generation: An AI Tool That Helps You Write Better Grammarly Install Now Undo Dr. Ravi Jhaveri, pediatric infectious disease specialist, told the NY Post, 'This will be the first time someone will be able to give themselves a flu vaccine right in their own home,' adding, 'While that may seem intimidating, this is an incredible milestone to make vaccines more accessible.' How safe is it to use at home To gain FDA permission, AstraZeneca conducted a study requiring users to self-administer, or give, to a child using provided instructions. The result: a 100% success rate. Each kit contains: Clear written instructions Instructional videos Access to a toll-free pharmacist call center A pharmacist chat feature for live support How FluMist works Visit and complete a medical screening questionnaire. If approved, you'll choose a delivery date. The vaccine arrives in an insulated package with cooling packs to keep it safe. A licensed provider reviews your info and verifies insurance. Shipping fee is around $8.99 (insurance usually covers the vaccine itself). Without insurance, GoodRx coupons can reduce costs to around $30. Your nasal spray arrives in chilled packaging. Keep it refrigerated if you're waiting. How to administer: Sniff one spritz per nostril, as per instructions. It comes with how-to videos, written directions, and pharmacist support just a click or call away. Dispose of the used sprayer using the prepaid envelope. Easy peasy! AstraZeneca even reports a 100% success rate in self-administration studies. The service is available in 34 states, with plans to expand further. If your state isn't included yet, flu spray is still available at clinics and pharmacies. Who can use FluMist Home? Adults aged 18 to 49 can self-administer. Parents or caregivers can give the spray to children aged 2 to 17. 'Giving the vaccine at home, to yourself or your children, makes protection more accessible, convenient, and better aligned with people's busy lives,' said Jhaveri to the NY Post. He added, 'If your little one fears needles, your doctor's appointments are hard to get, or you juggle work and school schedules, this might be the perfect choice this season.' However, it is not suitable for those over 50, pregnant, immunocompromised, or with certain conditions like asthma, egg allergy, aspirin use, or GBS history. You're advised to check with your doctor in case of worries. Why flu shots still matter The 2024-2025 flu season was one of the worst in 15 years, with over 47 million cases, 610,000 hospitalizations, and 27,000 deaths, including 216 children. Vaccination rates are slipping: among children under 18, fewer than half were vaccinated, down from 62.4% pre-pandemic. Jhaveri emphasized, 'I strongly encourage flu vaccination, whether you've done it before or not, it remains one of the most effective ways to prevent flu,' adding, 'Children face serious risks, like pneumonia or hospitalization, and 150-200 children die each season, many of whom were otherwise healthy.' He concluded, 'I recommend getting vaccinated by the end of October, before flu season ramps up. It's vital to protect yourself, your family, and your community. '
New York Post
2 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
You can get a flu vaccine nasal spray shipped directly to your door this fall
Get a whiff of this. For the first time, Americans can now skip the doctor's office and pharmacy line for their annual flu vaccine — and they can avoid needles, too. AstraZeneca's FluMist Home program officially launches today, sending nasal flu vaccines straight to people's homes. 4 The flu can cause mild to severe illness and, in some cases, lead to death. – Advertisement FluMist is a flu vaccine that's sprayed up your nose. It's been FDA-approved since 2003, and studies show it works about as well as the traditional flu shot at preventing infections and reducing the risk of serious illness. Since hitting the market more than 20 years ago, the nasal spray had only available through healthcare providers. But this season, that's changing with FluMist Home. 'This will be the first time someone will be able to give themselves a flu vaccine right in their own home,' Dr. Ravi Jhaveri, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, told The Post. 'While that may seem intimidating, this is an incredible milestone to make vaccines more accessible.' How does FluMist Home work? Advertisement The program is available in 34 states this year, with plans to expand. If it isn't offered in your state yet — like New York — you can still get the spray at your doctor's office or pharmacy. Starting today, people in eligible states can visit to complete a medical screening questionnaire, get approved and choose a delivery date. The spray will arrive in an insulated package with cooling packs to ensure it's kept at the right temperature. Liz Bodin, vice president of US respiratory and immunology, vaccines and immune therapies at AstraZeneca, told The Post that it should be used immediately after it arrives or kept in the fridge for up to two months. Advertisement 4 FluMist works by stimulating the immune system in the nose and throat, where influenza viruses typically enter the body. AstraZeneca Is it really safe to administer your own flu vaccine? To earn FDA approval, AstraZeneca conducted a study testing whether adults could successfully administer a full dose of the nasal spray — either to themselves or a child — with the provided instructions. The result? A 100% success rate. 'I'm very confident that eligible patients can administer FluMist safely and effectively at home,' Bodin said. Each shipment includes instructions with 'how-to' guides, videos, a toll-free pharmacist call center and a pharmacist chat feature. Advertisement 4 Doctors say FluMist provides a good option for needle-shy kids and adults. MediaNews Group via Getty Images Who should get a nasal flu vaccine at home? FluMist is approved for self-administration by adults ages 18 to 49, or by parents and caregivers for children between 2 and 17 years old. 'Being able to administer the vaccine in the comfort of one's own home — and to your own children — makes protection more accessible, convenient, and better aligned with the realities and current preferences of people's lives,' said Jhaveri, who also serves as a professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University. 'If your little one has a fear of needles, or your doctor's office has no appointments, or you are coordinating a complicated matrix of work, school and after-school schedules, this might be an option for you this season,' he added. 4 The FluMist Home program aims to make vaccination easier for Americans with hectic schedules who might otherwise skip the doctor's appointment. Rido – How much does it cost? Since it's part of the CDC's recommended vaccines list, most insurance plans fully cover it. There's also an $8.99 shipping fee. Prices vary for those without insurance or whose plans don't cover it, but GoodRx lists coupons can bring the cost of the nasal spray down to around $30. Advertisement Why bother with a flu shot? The 2024–2025 flu season was the worst in 15 years, with preliminary CDC data reporting at least 47 million cases, 610,000 hospitalizations and 27,000 deaths nationwide — including 216 children. At the same time, vaccinations lagged across the board. Among Americans under 18, less than half got vaccinated, down from a pre-pandemic rate of 62.4% in 2019-20. 'I strongly encourage flu vaccination — whether it's your first time or not — because it remains one of the most effective ways to prevent flu,' Jhaveri, who is also division head of infectious diseases at Chicago's Lurie Children's Hospital, said. Advertisement 'Children are especially susceptible to serious complications from the flu, such as pneumonia or hospitalization, and 150-200 children die each season — many of whom are otherwise healthy. 'My recommendation is to get your flu vaccine by the end of October, before the virus starts to circulate. It's a vital step toward protecting yourself, your family and the wellbeing of those around you.'
