FluMist is used to prevent infection caused by influenza virus. FluMist is redeveloped each year to contain specific strains of activated (live) flu virus that are recommended by public health officials for that year.
FluMist is a “live virus” vaccine. Influenza virus vaccine is also available in an injectable form, which is a “killed virus” vaccine. The influenza virus strains in FluMist (influenza virus vaccine) are (a) cold-adapted (ca) (i.e., they replicate efficiently at 25°C, a temperature that is restrictive for replication of many wild-type influenza viruses); (b) temperature-sensitive (ts) (i.e., they are restricted in replication at 37°C (Type B strains) or 39°C (Type A strains), temperatures at which many wild-type influenza viruses grow efficiently); and (c) attenuated (att) (they do not produce classic influenza-like illness in the ferret model of human influenza infection). The cumulative effect of the antigenic properties and the ca, ts, and att phenotypes is that the attenuated vaccine viruses replicate in the nasopharynx to induce protective immunity.
FluMist works by exposing you to a small dose of the virus, which helps your body to develop immunity to the disease. FluMist will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.
FluMist is for use in children and adults, between the ages of 2 and 49 years old.
Becoming infected with influenza (commonly known as “the flu”) is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against it. Influenza causes thousands of deaths each year, and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations. Like any medicine, FluMist can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
Like any vaccine, FluMist may not provide protection from disease in every person. FluMist will not prevent illness caused by avian flu (“bird flu”).
For at least 21 days after receiving FluMist, avoid close contact with anyone who has a weak immune system caused by disease (such as cancer, HIV, or AIDS), or by certain medicines such as steroids, cancer chemotherapy, or radiation treatment. A person with a weak immune system can become ill if they have close contact with you after you have recently received a an influenza vaccine.
You can still receive a vaccine if you have a cold or fever. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving FluMist.
Keep track of any and all side effects you have after using FluMist. If you ever have to receive another influenza virus vaccine in the future, you will need to tell the doctor if the first vaccine caused any side effects.
Like any vaccine, FluMist may not provide protection from disease in every person. FluMist will not prevent illness caused by avian flu (“bird flu”).
Becoming infected with influenza (commonly known as “the flu”) is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against it. Influenza causes thousands of deaths each year, and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations. Like any medicine, FluMist can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
Influenza virus (commonly known as “the flu”) is a serious disease caused by a virus. Influenza virus can spread from one person to another through small droplets of saliva that are expelled into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can also be passed through contact with objects the infected person has touched, such as a door handle or other surfaces.
Do not use FluMist if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a flu vaccine, or if you have:
- a history of Guillain-Barr syndrome (especially if you had it within 6 weeks after having a flu vaccine);
- a weak immune system caused by disease (such as cancer, HIV, or AIDS), or by taking certain medicines such as steroids;
- if someone in your household has a weak immune system;
- if you are under 18 years old and have recently taken aspirin or other similar medicines such as Disalcid, Doan’s Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others; or
- if you are allergic to chicken or egg products.
Before receiving FluMist, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or:
- asthma or other lung disorder;
- a history of seizures;
- a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain (or if this was a reaction to a previous vaccine);
- a weak immune system caused by disease, bone marrow transplant, or by using certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments; or
- if you have used a flu medication such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) within the past 48 hours.
You can still receive a vaccine if you have a cold or fever. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving FluMist.
Vaccines may be harmful to an unborn baby and generally should not be given to a pregnant woman. However, not vaccinating the mother could be more harmful to the baby if the mother becomes infected with a disease that this vaccine could prevent. Your doctor will decide whether you should receive FluMist, especially if you have a high risk of infection with influenza. It is not known whether FluMist passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. FluMist should not be given to anyone younger than 2 or older than 49 years of age.
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What’s FluMist?