Dosing, Administration & Storage

FluMist® is delivered intranasally; active inhalation (i.e., sniffing) by the patient is not required. Watch this video to learn how to store FluMist in your office, and how to administer it to your eligible patients 2 years to 49 years old.

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Select Safety Information
FluMist is contraindicated in individuals with history of hypersensitivity to eggs, egg proteins, gentamicin, gelatin or arginine or with life-threatening reactions to previous influenza vaccinations, and in children and adolescents receiving concomitant aspirin or aspirin-containing therapy. Do not administer FluMist to children <24 months of age due to an increased risk of hospitalization and wheezing that was observed in clinical trials or to individuals with severe asthma or active wheezing.

Dr. Block was compensated for his participation in this FluMist presentation.

FluMist Dosing EXPAND HIDE

Each sprayer contains a single dose of FluMist. Approximately one-half of the contents should be sprayed in each nostril. FluMist should be administered according to the following schedule1:

Age Group Vaccination Status Dosage Schedule
Children
2 - 8 years of age		 Not previously
vaccinated with
influenza vaccine		 2 doses (0.2 mL* each,
at least 1 month apart)
for initial season
Children
2-8 years of age		 Previously
vaccinated with influenza vaccine		 1 dose (0.2 mL*)
per season
Children,
adolescents, & adults
9-49 years of age		 Not applicable 1 dose (0.2 mL*)
per season

*Administer as 0.1 mL per nostril.1

View Prescribing Informationarrow


The CDC/ACIP* now recommends universal influenza vaccination for people 6 months and older, effective for the 2011-2012 influenza season.2 See specific Prescribing Information for each manufacturer's influenza vaccine, as not all influenza vaccines are indicated for all ages. View the latest 2011-2012 ACIP Influenza Vaccine Dosing Recommendations


*CDC/ACIP = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

Storage EXPAND HIDE

  • STORE REFRIGERATED — DO NOT FREEZE
  • FluMist is supplied for intranasal delivery in packages of 10 pre-filled, single-use sprayers.
  • FluMist should be stored in a refrigerator between 2°-8°C (35°-46°F) upon receipt and until use before the expiration date. Do not freeze.
  • The cold chain (2°-8°C) must be maintained when transporting FluMist.
  • View Prescribing Informationarrow
Important Safety Information

FluMist® (Influenza Vaccine Live, Intranasal) is a vaccine indicated for active immunization of individuals 2-49 years of age against influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and type B contained in the vaccine.

FluMist is contraindicated in individuals with history of hypersensitivity to eggs, egg proteins, gentamicin, gelatin or arginine or with life-threatening reactions to previous influenza vaccinations, and in children and adolescents receiving concomitant aspirin or aspirin-containing therapy.

Do not administer FluMist to children <24 months of age due to an increased risk of hospitalization and wheezing that was observed in clinical trials. FluMist should not be administered to any individual with asthma and to children <5 years of age with recurrent wheezing unless the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk. Do not administer FluMist to individuals with severe asthma or active wheezing.

If Guillain-Barré syndrome has occurred with prior influenza vaccination, the decision to give FluMist should be based on careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks. Data supporting the safety and effectiveness of FluMist administration in immunocompromised individuals are limited. FluMist should not be administered to individuals with underlying medical conditions predisposing them to wild-type influenza infection complications unless the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk. FluMist should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Most common adverse reactions (occurring at ≥10% in individuals receiving FluMist and at least 5% greater than in placebo) are runny nose or nasal congestion in recipients of all ages, fever >100°F in children 2-6 years of age, and sore throat in adults.

FluMist may not protect all individuals receiving the vaccine. FluMist is for intranasal administration only.

Please see accompanying complete Prescribing Information, including Patient Information [PDF PDF].

References
  1. FluMist [package insert]. Gaithersburg, MD: Medlmmune, LLC.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention and control of influenza with vaccines: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on lmmunization Practices (ACIP), 2010. MMWR. 2010 Aug 6;59(RR-8):1-62.