Nasal Flu Vaccine for Home Use Now Available for Delivery
I love being able to go to the pharmacy and get a flu shot for myself (or my kids). I just pop in, get the shot, and go about my business. Now, it’s even easier: last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first flu vaccine that you can give yourself or that parents can give to their children, and now you can order it for home delivery. I just placed my order. And best of all, it’s a nasal spray, so no needles.
How can I get a flu shot at home?
The FluMist nasal spray vaccine still requires a doctor’s prescription. However, since virtually everyone between the ages of two and 49 is eligible for vaccination, FluMist’s manufacturer (AstraZeneca) has a telemedicine website where a doctor’s approval is included with an online pharmacy order. They claim this process takes about five minutes on average, and I found this to be true.
I’ve already gotten the flu shot this year, but my kids haven’t yet. (I also know my daughter really prefers the nasal shot when possible.) The website allowed me to add multiple people to a single order, so I filled out a form for each child, including their names, ages, allergies, etc.
Then the site accessed some big data cloud and told me it already knew their insurance information (awful, but convenient!) and billed me $8.99, including $2.50 for the doctor’s appointment and $6.49 for shipping and handling. Insurance covers the cost of the vaccine itself.
Who can use the flu vaccine at home?
The at-home vaccine is similar to the regular FluMist vaccine, approved for children aged two to 49 years. This means infants and older adults will still need to see a doctor for the regular injectable flu vaccine. Children can receive the flu vaccine starting at six months of age.
FluMist uses a live, weakened virus. It doesn’t cause the flu, but it can cause some respiratory symptoms in people with weakened immune systems. Therefore, it is not recommended for pregnant women, people with certain medical conditions, people with weakened immune systems, or people in close contact with people with weakened immune systems. If this applies to you, discuss the best options with your doctor. You may be recommended to receive a regular injectable vaccine that doesn’t contain a live virus.
How to get a flu shot at home?
My vaccine hasn’t arrived yet, but the instructions indicate that the vaccine package will arrive on the date I selected. It will be packaged in a cooler with ice packs and should be refrigerated upon arrival. There’s also a tag I can scan to verify that the vaccine was kept at the correct temperature during delivery.
If all goes well, follow the instructions and spray the vaccine into your nose. (If you purchased FluMist at a pharmacy, the principle is the same.) Adults can do this themselves, but children will need an adult’s assistance. Instructions are included, of course. After vaccination, you will receive a pre-paid envelope that can be used to return the sprayers for disposal.