Fall is here and so is flu season

As you prepare and have conversations with patients, providing vaccination options that meet their needs is key. One such option is FluMist (Influenza Vaccine Live, Intranasal), a needle-free flu vaccine for healthy individuals ages 2 through 49. Administered as a gentle nasal spray, FluMist provides protection against three influenza virus strains (two A strains and one B strain), offering broad seasonal coverage.

FluMist has been approved and used for many years, but the FDA recently approved this vaccine for at-home use by eligible patients. If your practice does not carry FluMist directly, patients can visit the FluMist website to determine eligibility and place an order for FluMist Home.

FluMist may offer a comfortable and familiar alternative to traditional injections, which could help improve uptake among vaccine-hesitant populations. Review this infographic for more information on the process.

Key elements to remember:

• The at-home option, FluMist Home, is available exclusively through an online pharmacy assigned with its own unique National Drug Code.
• FluMist Home is intended to complement — not replace — traditional in-office and retail pharmacy FluMist administration.
• In-office and retail pharmacy administration of FluMist remains unchanged and fully available for those who prefer or require vaccination in a clinical setting.
• Patients interested in the at-home option can visit the FluMist website to determine eligibility and place an order.

To learn more about FluMist and FluMist Home or explore educational resources for your patients and team, visit the FluMist website.

TAFP’s Partners in Health program connects family physicians with organizations committed to supporting family medicine and promoting the health of all Texans. Our Partners provide patient education and high-value tools designed to help family physicians and their care teams deliver well-coordinated, comprehensive primary care. Go to Partners in Health to learn more.