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Side effects of the flu vaccine. The most common side effects of the flu vaccine are mild and get better within 1 to 2 days. They can include: pain or soreness where the injection was given; a slightly raised temperature; an aching body; More serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) are very rare. The person who ...
Sep 24, 2024 · Side effects from FluMist are generally expected to be mild and short term, lasting only a few days. See the “More common side effects of FluMist” section for details.
Sep 27, 2024 · FluMist, which helps prevent flu, can cause side effects. Learn about the vaccine's possible common, mild, and serious side effects and how to manage them.
- What is FluMist?
- FluMist generic or biosimilar
- FluMist vs. flu shot
- FluMist side effects
- Ages for FluMist
- How FluMist is given
- Common questions about FluMist
- FluMist interactions
- FluMist and alcohol
- FluMist cost
FluMist is a brand-name vaccine. It’s FDA-approved to help prevent influenza (flu) caused by the influenza A or influenza B virus. FluMist is approved for use in children and adults ages 2 to 49 years.
The flu is a respiratory illness that’s highly contagious. Symptoms can range from fever, stuffy nose, and aches, to chest pain, confusion, and trouble breathing. The flu can be mild or serious, and in rare cases, it can lead to death.
FluMist is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in biosimilar form.
A biosimilar is like a generic. A generic is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication that’s made from chemicals. (Most medications are made from chemicals.)
A biosimilar, on the other hand, is a drug that’s similar to a brand-name biologic drug. (FluMist is a type of brand-name biologic drug.) Biologics are drugs made using living cells. Because of this, the drugs can’t be copied exactly.
Biosimilars have the same safety and effectiveness as the brand-name medication. Usually, a biosimilar drug costs less than the brand-name biologic.
Forms
FluMist is a nasal spray form of the flu vaccine. So instead of getting an injection like you would with a flu shot, a healthcare provider or pharmacist sprays FluMist into your nose. Because you’re not receiving an injection with FluMist, you won’t have possible arm soreness or pain. (For information on possible side effects of FluMist, see the “FluMist side effects” section below.)
Ages
Another difference between FluMist and a flu shot is the ages the vaccines are used for. FluMist is approved only for use in children and adults ages 2 through 49 years. FluMist hasn’t been approved for use in children younger than age 2 years or older adults. In comparison, the flu shot is approved to be used in all adults as well as children ages 6 months and older.
Pregnancy
If you’re pregnant, you can’t get FluMist, but you can get a flu shot. It’s recommended that you get a flu shot during pregnancy, so talk with your doctor to learn more.
FluMist can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking FluMist. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.
Side effects listed below occurred in people who received either FluMist Quadrivalent or FluMist Trivalent, which is no longer available. FluMist Quadrivalent protects against four strains of the flu virus, while FluMist Trivalent protected against three strains. Although FluMist Trivalent is no longer available, the research, including side effects, from studies of both vaccines was reported together.
For more information on the possible side effects of FluMist, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be bothersome.
Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with FluMist, you can do so through MedWatch.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved FluMist for use in both kids and adults ages 2 to 49 years.
FluMist isn’t been approved to be used in children younger than age 2 years because of an increased risk of wheezing and hospitalization. The FluMist vaccine that children receive is the same one that adults receive. There is no children’s version of the vaccine.
However, children ages 2 to 8 years who have never been given a flu vaccine may receive FluMist in two doses. These children haven’t been exposed to flu viruses in a flu vaccine, so the two doses help their immune system recognize the viruses.(For more information, see the “How FluMist works” section below.)
If your child has been given a flu vaccine before, they will need only one dose of FluMist.
You should get FluMist according to your doctor’s or healthcare provider’s instructions.
FluMist comes as a nasal spray that a healthcare provider or pharmacist will spray into your nose. You’ll likely receive your dose of FluMist at a doctor’s office or pharmacy.
When you receive your vaccine, you can breathe normally. You don’t have to sniff. Your doctor or pharmacist will have you sit up straight. Then they’ll quickly spray one squirt of vaccine into each nostril.
For children ages 2 to 8 years, two doses of FluMist may be recommended. Talk with your child’s doctor about whether your child should receive one or two doses.
Can FluMist spread or cause the flu through shedding?
Shedding is very common with the FluMist vaccine. However, it’s very unlikely that this shedding will spread or cause the flu. Shedding occurs when a virus in your body replicates (makes copies of itself) and is then released to the environment around you. For example, when you receive the FluMist nasal spray, the flu viruses will replicate in your nose. Then if you sneeze, you could spread the flu viruses. In a study of children and adults ages 5 through 49 years, shedding occurred in 29% of adults and children ages 5 through 49. Another study looked at viral shedding in younger children, ages 6 to 59 months (about age 5 years).* In this study, shedding occurred in: •79% of children in the study •89% of children ages 6 months through 23 months old •69% of children ages 24 months through 69 months old Another study looked at whether people actually catch the flu when others shed the virus after getting FluMist. Children ages 8 to 36 months received FluMist or a placebo (treatment with no active vaccine). The researchers found that 80% of children who received FluMist shed the virus. However, the researchers found only one instance of a flu strain in a child who received a placebo. Based on these numbers, they estimated that the transmission rate of the virus from those who received FluMist vaccine was about 0.58%. These study results indicate that it’s unlikely that you would become infected with the flu from someone else who received the FluMist vaccine. If you have questions about shedding or spreading flu viruses after receiving FluMist, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. * The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved FluMist for use in children and adults ages 2 to 49 years.
I have asthma. Can I still get FluMist?
It depends. If you have asthma, you may be at a higher risk for developing wheezing when you receive the FluMist vaccine. Children younger than age 5 years who have wheezing that keeps returning may also be at risk for wheezing with FluMist. If either of these situations apply, the doctor may monitor you or your child for a longer time than usual after a dose of FluMist. This allows them to treat any wheezing that occurs. In some cases, the doctor may recommend that you or your child have a flu shot instead. Talk with your doctor about the best flu vaccine for you or your child.
How well does FluMist work?
FluMist is an effective vaccine to help prevent against infection with the influenza (flu) viruses. FluMist was studied in clinical trials of adults ages 18 to 49 years. Researchers followed people in the study over the course of 7 weeks. People vaccinated with FluMist were 23.7% less likely to develop an upper respiratory infection with a fever compared with people who received a placebo. Upper respiratory infections include the common cold. However, no vaccine is 100% effective. Although FluMist may decrease your risk for becoming infected with the flu viruses, you could still develop the flu. Talk with your doctor about whether FluMist is right for you and what else you can do to help prevent the flu.
FluMist can interact with several other medications. The drug isn’t known to interact with any supplements or foods.
Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase the number of side effects or make them more severe.
There are no known interactions between FluMist and alcohol.
As with all medications, the cost of FluMist can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.
Before approving coverage for FluMist, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide if the drug will be covered.
Sep 13, 2023 · Professional info. FAQ. Note: This document provides detailed information about FluMist Side Effects associated with influenza virus vaccine, live. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name FluMist. Applies to influenza virus vaccine, live: nasal spray.
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Aug 15, 2019 · Side effects of the flu shot are usually mild and only last a day or 2. The most common one is a reaction at the injection site, such as soreness or redness. Experts typically recommend a...
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Flu will often get better on its own, but it can make some people seriously ill. It's important to get the flu vaccine if you're advised to. Check if you have flu. Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include: a sudden high temperature; an aching body; feeling tired or exhausted; a dry cough; a sore throat; a headache; difficulty sleeping ...
