Needle-free vaccine option can help reduce influenza infections this season1,2
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends influenza vaccines as the primary prevention against the flu virus, protecting families and their communities3
AstraZeneca announces FLUMIST® QUADRIVALENT (Influenza Vaccine Live, Intranasal) doses are now available in the US for the 2022-2023 influenza season. FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT, the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved nasal-spray flu vaccine, is indicated for people ages 2 through 49.1
In line with the 2022-2023 recommendations from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT continues to be an option for flu vaccination in the US this season.5,6 The CDC stresses that the most effective protection against seasonal flu infection is a yearly flu vaccination.3 Vaccines may not prevent influenza in everyone who gets vaccinated.7
“Educating communities about flu safety measures and encouraging yearly flu vaccination remains an important part of reducing serious and contagious health threats,” said Liz Bodin, Vice President, US Respiratory & Immunology, AstraZeneca. “We must remain vigilant about preventing its spread, and the most important step is getting vaccinated. AstraZeneca is working with our partners to make FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT available for those eligible and is committed to supporting patients and protecting their families this flu season.”
FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT is the only FDA-approved flu vaccine to use a needle-free nasal spray administrative technique and may be preferred for some people.1,2,8 AstraZeneca’s live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) (either as trivalent or quadrivalent formulations) has been approved by the FDA since 2003 and is covered by most health insurance plans and included in the Vaccines for Children program. The most common side effects of FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT are runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and fever over 100°F.1
Please note, all available influenza vaccines are manufactured differently and different preparations have different indications as licensed by the FDA.9 Those interested in receiving a flu vaccine are encouraged to speak with a healthcare provider to determine if FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT is right for them and visit FindFluMist.com to find where it is available in their local area.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
- FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT is contraindicated in persons who have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, anaphylaxis) to any vaccine component, including egg protein, or after a previous dose of any influenza vaccine, and in children and adolescents receiving concomitant aspirin or aspirin-containing therapy
- In clinical trials, the risks of hospitalization and wheezing were increased in children <24 months of age who received trivalent FluMist
- Children <5 years of age with recurrent wheezing and persons of any age with asthma may be at increased risk of wheezing following FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT administration. FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT has not been studied in persons with severe asthma or active wheezing
- If Guillain-Barré syndrome has occurred within 6 weeks of any prior influenza vaccination, the decision to give FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT should be based on careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks
- FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT has not been studied in immunocompromised persons
- The safety of FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT in individuals with underlying medical conditions predisposing them to wild-type influenza infection complications has not been established
- Appropriate medical treatment and supervision must be available to manage possible anaphylactic reactions following administration of the vaccine
- FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT may not protect all individuals receiving the vaccine
- The most common solicited adverse reactions (occurring ≥10% in vaccine recipients and at least 5% greater than in placebo) reported were runny nose or nasal congestion in persons 2-49 years, fever >100°F in children 2-6 years, and sore throat in adults 18-49 years. Among children 2-17 years who received FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT, 32% reported runny nose or nasal congestion and 7% reported fever >100°F. Among adults 18-49 years who received FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT, 44% reported runny nose or nasal congestion and 19% reported sore throat
INDICATION
FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT is a vaccine indicated for active immunization of persons 2-49 years of age for the prevention of influenza disease caused by influenza A subtype viruses and type B viruses contained in the vaccine. FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT is for intranasal administration only.
Please see full Prescribing Information for FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT, including Patient Information.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries, and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information, please visit www.astrazeneca-us.com and follow us on Twitter @AstraZenecaUS.
Media Inquiries
Brendan McEvoy +1 302 885 2677
Jillian Gonzales +1 302 885 2677
US Media Mailbox: usmediateam@astrazeneca.com
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References
- FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT Prescribing Information. http://www.azpicentral.com/pi.html?product=flumistquadrivalent. Last accessed: August 2022.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Different Types of Flu Vaccines. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/different-flu-vaccines.htm. Last accessed: July 2022.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Who Needs a Flu Vaccine and When. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccinations.htm?web=1&wdLOR=cAD02F262-60A0-4D15-8C8A-2AE785DB95C7. Last accessed: July 2021
- Data on File, REF-55352, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP.
- Grohskopf LA, Alyanak E, Broder KR, Walter EB, Fry AM, Jernigan DB. Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2021–22 Influenza Season. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(5):1–28. Last accessed: August 2021
- American Academy of Pediatrics. AAP not changing flu vaccine recommendations for 2022-'23. https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/19883/AAP-not-changing-flu-vaccine-recommendations-for?autologincheck=redirected. Last accessed: July 2022.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How Well Do Vaccines Work? https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/vaccineeffect.htm. Last accessed: July 2022.
- Flood EM, Ryan KJ, Rousculp MD, et al. A survey of children’s preferences for influenza vaccine attributes. Vaccine. 2011;29(26):4334-4340.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Supply for the U.S. 2021-2022 Influenza Season. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaxsupply.htm. Last accessed: July 2021.
