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Time of India
a day 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. '
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
You Can Now Give Yourself a Flu Vaccine at Home With a Nasal Spray
Courtesy of AstraZeneca For the first time, you may be able to vaccinate yourself against the flu from the comfort of your couch, no needle required. FluMist Home, a nasal spray version of the flu vaccine, launched on August 15 and is available to order at for people ages 18 to 49 to use themselves and for adults to give to kids ages 2 to 17. You might recall the name FluMist from previous seasons. It's been available and recommended by the CDC since 2003—barring a hiatus from 2016 to 2018 when a previous version was found ineffective against one flu type—but it had to be administered by a health care provider. The new at-home version received FDA approval in fall 2024 after studies conducted by the drug's maker AstraZeneca showed the general public could DIY it or supply it to a child just as well as a clinician could. This launch stands to increase the number of people who get vaccinated by lowering a couple common barriers, like the inconvenience of having to go somewhere to get it done and the fear of needles, Scott Roberts, MD, an infectious disease specialist at Yale New Haven Hospital, tells SELF. And that's especially relevant now, in the wake of last year's highly severe flu season—clocking the most hospitalizations for the virus in 15 years—and as overall flu vaccination rates still lag below pre-pandemic levels. Read on to learn all the details about FluMist Home, including who it's for, how to use it, and how it stacks up to the standard shot. How does FluMist Home protect you against the flu? Both the new at-home version of FluMist and the one available to receive from a health care provider utilize the same mechanism: a live weakened virus (whereas the shot uses an inactive version). By introducing that tempered version of the virus into your nose, you trigger your immune system to pump out antibodies—so that if you were to get exposed to the flu in the future, your body would be primed to fight it. While FluMist contains a live virus, that doesn't mean it's giving you the flu. That virus has been 'adapted to a lower temperature, so it can only survive in your nose and stimulate the immune cells there, but won't get anywhere else in your body,' Ravi Jhaveri, MD, division head of infectious disease at Northwestern University School of Medicine and a scientific consultant to AstraZeneca, tells SELF. That makes it a safe option for ramping up flu-related antibodies without actually making you sick. But like the flu shot, it does come with a few potential side effects, like a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and fever. (If you wind up with any of these, they'll generally subside on their own in a couple days.) As for actually getting and using FluMist Home? You can order it online by filling out a brief questionnaire, which a health care provider will review to make sure you're eligible—that generally means you fall within the designated age bracket and aren't immunocompromised. You'll also select the date when you'd like the product to be delivered, which you can schedule out for up to a couple months, and once you're approved, you'll need to pay a fee of $8.99 for shipping and processing. (Most insurance plans will cover the cost of the vaccine itself.) It'll arrive in cold packaging ready to use, though you can also refrigerate it for several weeks (through the expiration date) if you need some extra time. Giving yourself the vaccine involves following the instructions to spritz it into each nostril. And it comes with a prepaid envelope to dispose of the used dispenser when you're done. Is it better to use FluMist Home or get the flu shot? The two of these are 'functionally the same' in terms of offering flu protection, Dr. Roberts says, with a couple caveats. If you're over age 50, you should stick with the shot. And because it's a live weakened virus, FluMist is not recommended for those who are immunocompromised—that's standard protocol for most live-virus vaccines due to the concern that people in this camp won't have the typical response of someone with a robust immune system, Dr. Roberts says. The CDC also doesn't suggest it for pregnant folks or those with certain preexisting health conditions. Otherwise, the choice comes down to personal preference. Maybe you'd rather avoid needles at all costs or just find it tricky to make time for that flu-shot appointment—in these scenarios, ordering FluMist Home and inoculating yourself might be more appealing. But that also means paying a small fee and investing some effort to correctly administer it. With any at-home product, there's room for user error, Dr. Roberts points out. Again, FluMist Home has been proven easy enough for the average person to use effectively, but it's possible that if you spritz it incorrectly (say, not deep enough in your nose), it might not stimulate that full immune response. You may also miss the mark if you're dealing with a runny or stuffy nose—which is why Dr. Jhaveri recommends waiting until your nose clears up if you're going to use FluMist Home. All things considered, you might find that it's more convenient to you or offers you more peace of mind to get the traditional flu shot. Whichever route you choose, the important thing is to get vaccinated. Doing so has been shown to significantly lower your risk of catching the flu and reduce the chance that you wind up seriously ill if you do. Not to mention, it'll help protect the folks in your community who are more susceptible to the flu (hello, herd immunity). It's the reason Dr. Roberts sees FluMist as a boon for public health: An additional option for getting vaccinated means we can increase access, which creates greater protection for everyone. Related: Should You Postpone Your Flu Shot If You're Feeling Sick? Here's Why Flu Season Can Last Longer Than You Might Think 6 Flu Complications to Be Aware of If You Start Feeling Super Sick Get more of SELF's great service journalism delivered right to your inbox. Originally Appeared on Self Solve the daily Crossword
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Health
- Business Wire
FLUMIST (Influenza, Vaccine Live, Intranasal), the nation's only nasal spray flu vaccine, now available for home delivery
WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AstraZeneca today launches FluMist Home, the first-of-its-kind, at-home delivery service for FLUMIST ® (Influenza Vaccine Live, Intranasal). FLUMIST is the first and only seasonal influenza vaccine approved to be self-administered by adults 18 to 49 years of age or administered by a parent or caregiver to individuals 2-17 years of age. 1 Initially approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2003, this recent approval extends a safe and effective vaccination option for individuals and their families to help protect themselves during flu season with no needles or waiting rooms. Now, for the first time, eligible individuals and their families can help protect themselves during the 2025-26 flu season from the convenience of their own home. 2 Individuals 18 and older can visit to learn more and click to order, where they will be directed to complete a medical screening questionnaire. A licensed healthcare provider will review each submission to determine eligibility. Once eligibility is confirmed and insurance is verified, FLUMIST will be prescribed and shipped directly to the consumer's home on the date they had selected, complete with clear administration instructions, storage guidance and how to dispose. 1 Joris Silon, US Country President and Senior Vice President, AstraZeneca, said: 'The launch of FluMist Home is a transformational moment in the evolution of influenza protection, bringing a simple and accessible option directly into the hands of consumers. FluMist Home reflects the growing importance of direct-to-consumer offerings and underscores our commitment to continuous innovation, making it easier for people to get vaccinated and stay protected.' 3 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 2024-2025 influenza season was classified as a high-severity across all age groups in the US–the most severe since the 2009 H1N1 swine flu pandemic, resulting in at least 610,000 hospitalizations and 27,000 deaths. 4-6 These trends underscore the importance of increasing influenza vaccination coverage and providing more accessible vaccination options to help improve immunization rates for protection against flu. 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: 'As influenza vaccination rates decline, especially among younger populations, this first-of-its-kind, at-home, needle-free option offers a critical opportunity to help make protection more accessible, convenient, and better aligned with the realities and current preferences of people's lives.' 7 Michele Slafkosky, Executive Director, Families Fighting Flu, said: 'Seasonal influenza can have a serious, even life-altering, impact on individuals and families, especially for those most vulnerable. Providing flexible vaccination options makes it easier for individuals and caregivers to help get protected. This can help to improve protection for individuals and strengthen collective immunity against influenza.' 8 Ami Patel, Executive Vice President, Hub Operations, ASPN Pharmacies, LLC, said: 'For the first time, consumers can receive and administer an influenza vaccine entirely at home—marking a historic shift in how preventive care is delivered. Through FluMist Home we're seeing a new model of care that puts consumers in control, offering a seamless, end-to-end experience, from determining eligibility to convenient home-delivery and administration. This milestone not only redefines convenience in vaccine delivery, but also sets the stage for a more accessible, patient-centered future in healthcare.' Through FluMist Home, all orders will be reviewed by a licensed healthcare provider with ASPN Pharmacies, an independent online specialty pharmacy, and then dispensed and shipped by Polaris Pharmacy Services, a specialty pharmacy, in temperature-controlled packages to maintain cold chain continuity. Consumers can select their preferred delivery date during the ordering process for added convenience. FLUMIST for self- or caregiver-administration is packaged in a consumer-friendly format with clear, at-home specific instructions that support proper handling, administration, and disposal. Once received, the vaccine should be stored in the refrigerator until use. The service also ensures documentation of vaccination in the relevant Immunization Information System. 1 For the 2025-26 flu season, FluMist Home will be available in 34 states covering about 80% of the eligible population. There are a number of states where FluMist Home is unavailable due to local pharmacy laws. Our aim is to have this service available in all 48 contiguous states in future seasons. FLUMIST will continue to be available in doctors' offices and pharmacies for administration by healthcare professionals across the nation. More information on FLUMIST and FluMist Home is available at Important Safety Information You should not get FLUMIST if you have a severe allergy to its components, eggs or other flu vaccines; 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 Before getting FLUMIST, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you: are currently wheezing; have a history of wheezing and are under 5 years of age; have asthma; have had Guillain-Barré syndrome (severe muscle weakness); 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 FLUMIST may cause rare but serious side effects including allergic reactions. Seek medical help right away if you experience any allergic reactions, including: hives; swelling of the face, lips, eyes, tongue or throat; throat tightness or trouble breathing 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 in people ages 2 through 49 years. FLUMIST may not prevent influenza in everyone who gets vaccinated. Please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information and Instructions for Use. You may . 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. 8 During the 2024-2025 influenza season, an estimated 47 – 82 million people developed illness from influenza, 21 – 37 million visited a healthcare provider for influenza, with 610,000–1.3 million hospitalizations, and 27,000–130,000 deaths. 4 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. 9 FLUMIST is an Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)-recommended influenza vaccine option. 10,11 FLUMIST was originally approved in the US in 2003 and since then almost 200 million doses have been distributed around the world. 2,3 FluMist Home State Availability Pharmacy laws vary state-by-state. For the 2025-2026 flu season, FluMist Home will be available in the following states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, MA, MD, ME, MI, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NV, OH, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, and WY. For the 2025-2026 flu season. FluMist Home will not be available in: AK, AR, DC, DE, HI, IN, KS, KY, LA, MN, MO, MS, NM, NY, OK, RI, and WV. Our aim is to have this service available in all 48 contiguous states in future seasons. Human Factors Usability Study for FluMist Self-Administration FLUMIST for self- or caregiver-administration was approved by the FDA in September 2024, following research demonstrating that individuals over 18 years of age can safely and effectively self-administer or administer FLUMIST to eligible individuals. 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 successfully administered a full dose. 12 In addition, data show that efficacy, immunogenicity and adverse events with self-administration of FLUMIST are similar to those seen with HCP-administered vaccination. 13 The FLUMIST label has been updated to provide additional instructions on self and caregiver administration for eligible patients. Children 2-8 years of age with an uncertain vaccination history may not be eligible for caregiver administration and should consult their healthcare provider for further information. 9 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's innovative medicines are sold in more than 125 countries and used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit and follow the Company on social media @AstraZeneca. References FLUMIST Home Ordering, processing, and Disposal DoFP. REF-263898. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA approves nasal spray influenza vaccine for self- or caregiver administration. Accessed July 28, 2025. AstraZeneca. FluMist approved for self-administration in the US. Accessed July 28, 2025. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu Burden. Preliminary estimated flu disease burden 2024-2025 flu season. Accessed July 28, 2025. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza (Flu) Past flu season severity assessments. Accessed July 22, 2025. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2024-2025 United States flu season: preliminary in-season severity assessment. Accessed June 10, 2025. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. FluVaxView Weekly Flu Vaccination Dashboard. Accessed July 31, 2025. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Influenza. . Accessed July 28, 2025. FLUMIST Prescribing Information. Grohskopf LA, Ferdinands JM, Blanton LH, Broder KR, Loehr J. Prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2024–25 influenza season. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2024;73(5):1–25. Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2025–2026: Policy Statement. Pediatrics (2025) Bandell A, Araj E, Wu J. The role of human factors engineering in the FDA approval process for self-/caregiver-administration of live attenuated influenza vaccine. Presented at: National Immunization Conference, August 12-14, 2024, Atlanta, GA, USA. Burgess TH, Murray CK, Bavaro MF, et al. Self-administration of intranasal influenza vaccine: immunogenicity and volunteer acceptance. Vaccine
New York Post
3 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.'
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Measles prevention: How the two-dose regimen works
CHICAGO (WGN) — About 90 percent of the US population has gotten their two dose regimen to protect against measles, mumps and rubella, but increasingly, the unvaccinated have been contracting the highly contagious, deadly disease. Northwestern University and Lurie Children's ediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Ravi Jhaveri warns that without proper coverage, storm clouds ahead have him worried. 'I like to have people think about vaccines as an umbrella, and the idea is an umbrella doesn't necessarily keep you from getting wet but it keeps you from getting soaked,' he said. 'We see periodic outbreaks of measles because it's a very highly contagious agent and even modest drops in the amount of protection amongst communities can lead to outbreaks.' Measles cases rise to about 320 total in Texas and New Mexico. What you should know. March 14 | More than 300 measles cases now confirmed in 14 states Decades of research has proven the MMR vaccine is 95 percent effective after the first dose. Experts say now it is more critical than ever to know protection level and potential threat. 'More than 90 percent of parents are having their kids vaccinated on time with the appropriate doses by the time their kids enter kindergarten, and so I want to make sure we recognize them for the effort they are doing,' Dr. Jhaveri said. The measles vaccine comes in two doses, working in stages to combat a virus that can linger in the air for hours after an infected person coughs sneezes or even talks. The respiratory infection leads to fever, cough, inflamed eyes, mouth sores and a skin rash. 'We know with an agent like measles, that's very contagious, that 95 percent wasn't enough, and so that led to the outbreak of cases in the late 80s and 90s, so we then instituted a second dose to try to make sure we cover the population well so even that five percent that didn't respond to the first dose was captured and covered with second dose,' Jhaveri explained. Eventually, for convenience, doctors and parents began giving the second dose to children at age 4. Dr. Jhaveri said the move became more practical and effective. But as measles spreads now, should parents be concerned if their child only got one shot? 'You are definitely going to be protected partially. One dose is better than no doses and two doses is better,' Jhaveri said. For those teenaged to adulthood, the two doses are far in the rear view mirror. And since the virus is one of the most contagious, with nine out of 10 people exposed to an infected person likely to get sick, doctors can see a situation where greater illness is in sight, even for the vaccinated. 'You should talk to your doctor about making sure you have up-to-date vaccines with the current guidance and we are airing on the side of extra doses,' Jhaveri said. That's why the MMR shot is so critical for children to render the population with herd immunity. As for adult boosters, Jhaveri said the population isn't necessarily at risk but, 'if you are close to an outbreak or could be exposed if you work in a healthcare setting, we air on the side of extra doses.' Rising vaccine hesitancy has health experts concerned about other illnesses as well, including chicken pox and potentially polio. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
