FluMist
Generic name:influenza virus vaccine (nasal) [ in-floo-ENZ-a-VYE-rus-VAK-seen ]
Drug class:Viral vaccines
What is FluMist?
FluMist is used to prevent infection caused by influenza virus. The vaccine is redeveloped each year to contain specific strains of activated (live) flu virus that are recommended by public health officials for that year.
FluMist nasal spray is a "live virus" vaccine. Influenza virus vaccine is also available as an injection (flu shot) which is a "killed virus" vaccine. This medication guide addresses only the nasal form of influenza virus vaccine.
FluMist is for use in adults up to 49 years old, and children who are at least 2 years old.
FluMist works by exposing you to a small dose of the influenza virus, which helps your body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.
Becoming infected with influenza is much more dangerous to your health than receiving FluMist. Influenza causes thousands of deaths each year, and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations. However, like any medicine, this vaccine 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.
Influenza (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.
Warnings
You may not be able to receive FluMist if you are allergic to eggs, if you or someone in your household has a weak immune system, if you are under 18 years old and have recently taken aspirin, or if you have a history of breathing problems, heart or kidney problems, diabetes, Guillain-Barre syndrome, or severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine.
You should not receive a booster dose of FluMist if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first dose.
Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving FluMist. If you ever need to receive FluMist in the future, you will need to tell your doctor if the previous dose caused any side effects.
FluMist is made from "live viruses" and may cause you to have mild flu-like symptoms.
Before taking this medicine
You should not receive FluMist if you are allergic to eggs, or if you have:
a history of severe allergic reaction to any flu vaccine; or
if you are between 2 and 17 years old and have recently taken aspirin.
FluMist is not approved for use by children younger than 2 years or adults older than 49 years.
You should not receive a Fl...
