Please see Important Saftey Information at the bottom of this page
Information for Healthcare Professionals

Importance of Vaccinating Children Early

As a healthcare professional, you can help protect more children from the flu by starting vaccinations as soon as a vaccine is available, and throughout the flu season. In fact, beginning vaccinations earlier will provide more opportunities for 2-dose adherence in eligible children less than 9 years of age.

FluMist® is expected to be available before the typical vaccination period, so you can vaccinate at regularly scheduled visits, including:

  • Well-child visits
  • Back-to-school appointments
  • Sports physicals
Child Flu Vaccination Timeline
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • Early
    vaccination period
  • Typical
    vaccination period
  • Late
    vaccination period

In a multicountry, culture-confirmed efficacy study in children 24 months to less than 36 months of age† where influenza circulated through 12 months following vaccination1, 4:

  • FluMist showed efficacy of 69%‡ against matched strains (A/H1N1: 83%, A/H3N2: 73%, B: 32%) (N=1,316)
  • Protection was maintained during outbreaks that occurred 5.5 to 13 months after vaccination at 74% (A/H1N1: 81%, A/H3N2: 70%, B: 63%) (n=509)4
  • † A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in vaccine-naïve children 24 months to <36 months of age for the 2000-2001 influenza season. Data is representative of the indicated population; full study population is represented in the Prescribing Information.
  • ‡ Attack rates for FluMist vs placebo were 4.1% and 13.3%, respectively.

Next: Efficacy

Important Safety Information

FluMist® is a vaccine indicated for active immunization of individuals 2 - 49 years of age against influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and type B contained in the vaccine.

FluMist is contraindicated in individuals with history of hypersensitivity to eggs, egg proteins, gentamicin, gelatin or arginine or with life-threatening reactions to previous influenza vaccinations, and in children and adolescents receiving concomitant aspirin or aspirin-containing therapy.

Do not administer FluMist to children <24 months of age due to an increased risk of hospitalization and wheezing that was observed in clinical trials. FluMist should not be administered to any individual with asthma and to children <5 years of age with recurrent wheezing unless the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk. Do not administer FluMist to individuals with severe asthma or active wheezing.

If Guillain-Barré syndrome has occurred with prior influenza vaccination or if an individual is immunocompromised, the decision to give FluMist should be based on careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks. FluMist should not be administered to individuals with underlying medical conditions predisposing them to wild-type influenza infection complications unless the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk. FluMist should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Most common adverse reactions (occurring at ≥10% in individuals receiving FluMist and at least 5% greater than in placebo) are runny nose or nasal congestion in recipients of all ages, fever >100°F in children 2-6 years of age, and sore throat in adults.

FluMist may not protect all individuals receiving the vaccine. FluMist is for intranasal administration only.