No doctor necessary: US okays nasal spray flu vaccine for self-use

The US FDA has approved AstraZeneca’s FluMist nasal spray flu vaccine for self-administration, marking a first. Starting next fall, individuals over 18 can order and administer the needle-free spray to themselves or others aged 2-49 through online pharmacies. This approval aims to increase convenience and accessibility for flu vaccinations. The decision comes as flu vaccination rates have declined by 3.3% since 2020-21. A recent survey suggests that at-home vaccination options could boost uptake. The vaccine uses a weakened form of live influenza virus.READ FULL