FLUMIST® (Influenza Vaccine Live, Intranasal) Now Available in the US for the 2026–2027 Flu Season

Needle-free influenza vaccine option is available through healthcare settings or via FluMist Home for at-home administration.

AstraZeneca today announces that FLUMIST® (Influenza Vaccine Live, Intranasal) is now available for eligible individuals in the US for the 2026–2027 influenza season.

FLUMIST is a needle-free, nasal spray influenza vaccine indicated for eligible people ages 2 through 49 years. It can be administered by a healthcare professional, self-administered by adults ages 18 through 49 years or administered by a parent or caregiver to eligible individuals ages 2 through 17 years.¹

Eligible adults can receive FLUMIST through healthcare settings, including doctors’ offices and pharmacies, or visit FluMist.com to use the FluMist Home service. Orders are reviewed by a licensed healthcare provider with ASPN Pharmacies and dispensed and shipped by Polaris Pharmacy Services in temperature-controlled packaging. The delivery includes instructions for storage, administration and disposal.¹

“Seasonal influenza vaccination is one of the most important ways to reduce the risk of seasonal flu and its potentially serious impacts,” said James Teague, Vice President, Respiratory, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, AstraZeneca. “For more than 20 years, FLUMIST has helped protect individuals and families during flu season. By providing access through both traditional healthcare settings and at-home ordering, we are giving eligible people more flexibility in how they get vaccinated, helping remove barriers and making it easier to take action against seasonal influenza.” 

FLUMIST has been approved in the US since 2003 and is one of the influenza vaccine options recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for eligible individuals during the 2026-2027 flu season.² 

Those interested in receiving a flu vaccine are encouraged to speak with a healthcare provider to determine if FLUMIST is right for them. Individuals ages 18 years and older may visit FluMist.com to learn more about FluMist Home at-home delivery service. 

Important Safety Information

  • You should not get FLUMIST if you have a severe allergy to its components, eggs or other flu vaccines; or are 2 through 17 years old and take aspirin or medicines containing aspirin - children or adolescents should not be given aspirin for 4 weeks after getting FLUMIST unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise
  • Children under 2 years old have an increased risk of wheezing (difficulty with breathing) after getting FLUMIST
  • Before getting FLUMIST, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you: are currently wheezing; have a history of wheezing and are under 5 years of age; have asthma; have had Guillain-Barré syndrome (severe muscle weakness); have a weakened immune system or live with someone who has a severely weakened immune system; have problems with your heart, kidneys, or lungs; have diabetes; are pregnant or nursing; or are taking antiviral drugs for the treatment of influenza
  • FLUMIST may cause rare but serious side effects including allergic reactions. Seek medical help right away if you experience any allergic reactions, including: hives; swelling of the face, lips, eyes, tongue or throat; throat tightness or trouble breathing
  • The most common side effects are runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and fever over 100 °F. 

Approved Use

FLUMIST is a vaccine that is sprayed into the nose to help protect against influenza in people ages 2 through 49 years. FLUMIST may not prevent influenza in everyone who gets vaccinated. 

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information and Instructions for Use.

You may report side effects related to AstraZeneca products (Opens new window). 

Notes

Influenza

On average, about 8% of the US population becomes ill from influenza each season, with a range of between 3 percent and 11 percent, depending on the season.3 During the 2025-2026 influenza season, CDC estimates that influenza caused at least 32 million illnesses, 15 million medical visits, 390,000 hospitalizations and 24,000 deaths, including 179 pediatric deaths in the United States.4

About FLUMIST® 

FLUMIST is a live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), which is administered as a nasal spray for the prevention of influenza.6 FLUMIST is an American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)-recommended influenza vaccine option.2 FLUMIST was originally approved in the US in 2003 and since then almost 200 million doses have been distributed around the world.5,7

FluMist Home State Availability

For the 2026-2027 flu season, FluMist Home will be available in the 48 contiguous states. Pharmacy laws vary by state. As such, ordering processes may differ by geography.  

Human Factors Usability Study for FluMist Self-Administration 

FLUMIST for self- or caregiver-administration was approved by the FDA in September 2024, following research demonstrating that individuals over 18 years of age can safely and effectively self-administer or administer FLUMIST to eligible individuals. In FDA-required human factors/usability studies, AstraZeneca evaluated if individuals 18 through 49 years of age could appropriately administer FLUMIST when given instructions for use. The results showed that 100% of intended users successfully administered a full dose.1,5 In addition, data show that efficacy, immunogenicity and adverse events with self-administration of FLUMIST are similar to those seen with HCP-administered vaccination.1,3 The FLUMIST label has been updated to provide additional instructions on self and caregiver administration for eligible patients. Children 2-8 years of age with an uncertain vaccination history may not be eligible for caregiver administration and should consult their healthcare provider for further information.6   

AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, Respiratory & Immunology and Infectious Diseases. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca's innovative medicines are sold in more than 125 countries and used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit www.astrazeneca-us.com and follow the Company on social media @AstraZeneca. 

Media Inquiries

US Media Mailbox: usmediateam@astrazeneca.com

Fiona Cookson, +1 212 814 3923

Lauren-Jei McCarthy, +1 347 918 7001 

References

  1. FLUMIST Home Ordering, processing, and Disposal DoFP. REF-263898.
  2. American Academy of Pediatrics. Preparing for the 2026-27 Influenza Season. Accessed August 26, 2026. https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/influenza/preparing-for-flu-season/
  3. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Influenza. Accessed August 26, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/index.html
  4. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. Influenza Surveillance and Preliminary End-of-Season Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Estimates, 2025-26. Presented at the FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) Meeting, June 18, 2026. Accessed September 10, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/media/193213/download
  5. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA approves nasal spray influenza vaccine for self- or caregiver administration. Accessed August 26, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-nasal-spray-influenza-vaccine-self-or-caregiver-administration
  6. FLUMIST Prescribing Information
  7. AstraZeneca. FluMist approved for self-administration in the US. Accessed September 10, 2026.https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2024/flumist-approved-for-self-administration-in-the-us.html