FluMist® Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find materials that can be customized to help you implement
your school-located vaccination clinic (SLVC).
FluMist is a flu vaccine given as a gentle nasal mist that is sprayed in each nostril to help prevent the flu. FluMist is for intranasal administration only.1
In a study of kids 2 years to 5 years of age, FluMist cut the risk of getting the flu in half compared to the shot.1-3
In a study of adults 18 years to 49 years of age, FluMist reduced influenza illness compared to placebo1, 4
Yes. Like other routine childhood vaccines, such as those for chicken pox or rotavirus, FluMist is a vaccine that contains weakened live viruses to help the body build immunity—but not cause disease.1
FluMist is a vaccine approved for the prevention of certain types of influenza disease in children, adolescents, and adults 2-49 years of age. FluMist may not protect everyone who gets it.1
FluMist is not right for everyone. FluMist must not be given to: people with history of hypersensitivity to eggs, egg proteins, gentamicin, gelatin or arginine; people with life-threatening reactions to previous influenza vaccinations; and children and adolescents receiving aspirin or aspirin-containing therapy.
Children less than 24 months of age are not eligible for FluMist.
The following people may not be able to get FluMist or may be able to get it only in certain situations: people with asthma or active wheezing, or children less than 5 years of age with recurrent wheezing; people with a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome; people with a weakened immune system; people with long-term medical conditions including heart disease, kidney disease, and metabolic diseases, such as diabetes; and pregnant women.
If you or your child fall into one of these groups, be sure to tell your healthcare provider. They will decide if FluMist is right for you or your child.
Most common side effects include runny nose or nasal congestion, sore throat, and fever. For a full list of side effects, please see section 6.1 in the product information.
Flu vaccines, including FluMist, can be given as early as the vaccine is available each year.5
No. The viruses contained in FluMist are weakened and designed not to cause disease.6
No. The live influenza vaccine viruses in FluMist rarely spread from person to person. Even if they do, it is unlikely they will cause illness.6
Yes. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), people in contact with someone with a weakened immune system—including those receiving chemotherapy—may receive FluMist.5,6
Only healthcare workers can administer FluMist.
Healthcare workers at high risk for influenza complications may administer FluMist. These include persons with underlying medical conditions placing them at high risk or who are likely to be at risk, including pregnant women, persons with asthma, and persons ≥50 years of age. However, severely immuncompromised persons should not administer FluMist.5
Yes. FluMist is available through the VFC program for eligible patients.
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