FLUMIST® QUADRIVALENT (Influenza Vaccine Live, Intranasal) Vaccine Now Available in the US for 2023-2024 Flu Season

FLUMIST® QUADRIVALENT (Influenza Vaccine Live, Intranasal) Vaccine Now Available in the US for 2023-2024 Flu Season

Needle-free vaccine option can help reduce influenza infections this season.1,2

The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine and lists FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT as a vaccination option.2,3

AstraZeneca today announced FLUMIST® QUADRIVALENT (Influenza Vaccine Live, Intranasal) doses are now available in the US for the 2023-2024 influenza season. FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT, the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved needle-free, nasal-spray flu vaccine, is indicated for people 2 through 49 years old. 1,2

While some people who get a flu vaccine may still get sick with influenza, flu vaccination has been shown to reduce severity of illness.4 Since the 2018 flu season, FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT has demonstrated overall moderate vaccine effectiveness.5-15

“As we enter another flu season, AstraZeneca remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting people and communities from influenza. More than 20 years ago, the FDA approved FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT, making it the first and only needle-free flu vaccination in the US,” said Liz Bodin, Vice President, US Respiratory & Immunology at AstraZeneca. “We’re proud to play our part in the fight against the flu by supplying FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT, helping to protect eligible people in the US in an effort to ultimately increase immunization rates and improve public health.”

A recent survey found that including a nasal spray option, such as FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT, for flu vaccination may help increase overall vaccine coverage in a patient population.16 Further findings showed offering different influenza vaccine formulations may have an impact on influenza vaccine uptake and acceptance.16 In the survey, when offered a nasal spray vaccination option, parents were 5% more likely to vaccinate their children and adults were 5% more likely to get vaccinated themselves.16

With its nasal spray administration and ability to drive an immune response at most likely the site of infection1, FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT is covered by most health insurance plans and is included in the Vaccine for Children program.17-18 The most common side effects of FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT are runny or stuffy nose, sore throat in adults, and fever over 100°F in young children who haven’t received a previous flu vaccine.1

Please note, all available influenza vaccines are manufactured differently and each preparation has a unique indication as licensed by the FDA.19 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 INFORMATIONt

  • 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 risk
  • 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 the Company on social media @AstraZeneca.

Importance of Vaccination & Vaccine Effectiveness

  • The CDC estimates from October 1, 2022 through April 30, 2023 there has been 27-54 million flu illnesses, 12-26 million flu medical visits, 300,000-650,000 flu hospitalizations, and 19,000-58,000 flu deaths20
  • The CDC continues to emphasize the importance of the influenza vaccination for anyone 6 months of age and older. Every year, influenza vaccination prevents illness, medical visits, hospitalizations and deaths. Vaccination to prevent flu and its potentially serious complications is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications.21,22 A full list of age and health factors that confer increased risk can be found here: People at Higher Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications
  • In addition to getting vaccinated every year, the CDC also recommends everyday preventive actions (like staying away from people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and frequent handwashing) to help slow the spread of germs that cause respiratory (nose, throat, and lungs) illnesses, like flu23

Media Inquiries

Brendan McEvoy                                                                                             +1 302 885 2677

Jillian Gonzales                                                                                               +1 302 885 2677

References

  1. FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT Prescribing Information. Accessed August 2023.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Different Types of Flu Vaccines. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/different-flu-vaccines.htm. Accessed August 2023.
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventative Steps. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/prevention.htm. Accessed August 2023.
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm. Accessed August 2023.
  5. Bandell A, Mallory R, Ambrose CS. Real-world effectiveness of inactivated and live attenuated influenza vaccines in children during three recent seasons: 2016-2019. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2020;7(Suppl 1):S709.
  6. Public Health England. Surveillance of influenza and other respiratory viruses in the UK. Winter 2019 to 2020. https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20220401215804/https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-flu-reports. Updated June 24, 2021. Accessed August 2023.
  7. In House Data, AstraZeneca. Data on File 143691. January 2022.
  8. Tenforde MW, Garten Kondor RJ, Chung JR, et al. Effect of antigenic drift on influenza vaccine effectiveness in the United States—2019–2020. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;73:e4244-e4250.
  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Past Seasons Vaccine Effectiveness Estimates. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/past-seasons-estimates.html. Accessed August 2023.
  10. Vestergaard LS, Botnen AB, Emborg H, et al. A late sharp increase in influenza detections and low interim vaccine effectiveness against the circulating A(H3N2) strain, Denmark, 2021/22 influenza season up to 25 March 2022. Euro Surveill. 2022;27(15):pii=2200278.
  11. In House Data, AstraZeneca. DoF 168928. November 2022.
  12. UK Health Security Agency. Surveillance of influenza and other seasonal respiratory viruses in winter 2021 to 2022. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-flu-reports/surveillance-of-influenza-and-other-seasonal-respiratory-viruses-in-winter-2021-to-2022. Updated September 30, 2022.
  13. Price MA, Flannery B, Talbot HK et al. Influenza vaccine effectiveness against Influenza A(H3N2)-related illness in the United States during the 2021–2022 influenza season. Clin Infect Dis. 2023;76(8):1358-1363. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciac941.
  14. Kissling E, Maurel M, Emborg HD, et al. Interim 2022/23 influenza vaccine effectiveness: six European studies, October 2022 to January 2023. Euro Surveill. 2023;28(21): pii=2300116.
  15. McLean HQ, Petrie JG, Hanson KE, et al. Interim Estimates of 2022–23 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness — Wisconsin, October 2022–February 2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2023;72(8):201–205.
  16. Ipsos. Expanding Flu Vaccine Access. https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/ct/news/documents/2022-07/Expanding%20Flu%20Vaccine%20POV.pdf. Accessed August 2023.
  17. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Vaccine Price List – Vaccines for Children Program. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/awardees/vaccine-management/price-list/index.html. Accessed August 2023.
  18. Effler PV, Chu C, He H, et al. Statewide school-located influenza vaccination program for children 5–13 years of age, Hawaii, USA. Emerg Infect Dis. 2010;16(2):244-250.
  19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Supply for the U.S. 2022-2023 Influenza Season. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaxsupply.htm. Accessed August 2023.
  20. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2022-2023 U.S. Flu Season: Preliminary In-Season Burden Estimates. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/preliminary-in-season-estimates.htm#FAQ. Accessed August 2023.
  21. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Who Needs a Flu Vaccine. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccinations.htm. Accessed August 2023.
  22. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What are the benefits of flu vaccination? https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccine-benefits.htm. Accessed August 2023.
  23. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy Habits to Help Protect Against Flu. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/actions-prevent-flu.htm. Accessed August 2023.