United States: On Friday, the US FDA approved the first flu vaccine, which would not have to be administered at the clinic or by a health specialist.
However, it would not be available in time for this incoming respiratory virus season.
About the new vaccine
According to the reports, FluMist works as a nasal spray produced by AstraZeneca that has been used to provide protection against influenza in the US since two thousand and three.
Presently, it is available in pharmacies and other health care facilities for those of age two and forty-nine who have a prescription of the med.
The FDA’s Friday approval would now add a second option for those who are eligible to receive the vaccine, abc-7.com reported.
The remarkable quality of the new vaccine is that it can be taken at home, via self-administration to adults or to children, with the help of a caregiver.
The company, AstraZeneca, is planning to manufacture the dose to be available for self-administration via a third-party online pharmacy, which would then prescribe and ship it after reviewing a screening and eligibility assessment.
The company expects this way to be made available in time when the commencement of next year’s RSV takes place.
What more are the experts stating?
The director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Dr. Peter Marks made a remark about new approval by the health agency and stated “Today’s approval of the first influenza vaccine for self- or caregiver-administration provides a new option for receiving a safe and effective seasonal influenza vaccine potentially with greater convenience, flexibility and accessibility for individuals and families,” abc-7.com reported.
Moreover, “Getting vaccinated each year is the best way to prevent influenza, which causes illness in a substantial proportion of the U.S. population every year and may result in serious complications, including hospitalization and death,” he added.
“This approval adds another option for vaccination against influenza disease and demonstrates the FDA’s commitment to advancing public health,” he continued.
FluMist is the only needle-free option
The abc-7.com reported that FluMist is currently the only needle-free option in place for administering flu shots in the US.
As per the reports, it utilizes a live but weakened variety of the influenza virus in order to offer protection. However, the technology used in the injectable versions is different, where either the killed viruses or proteins are used to train our body’s immune system to fight off the virus.