Flumist vs. Fluzone for Flu Vaccination: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

FluMist

flu vaccine

Summary for Flumist

Prescription only

FluMist is a flu vaccine that's sprayed into the nose. It's approved for people ages 2 through 49 years old. It helps protect against the flu and can be given once each year before flu season. FluMist is sprayed once into each nostril. It comes as a nasal spray that's used once in each nostril. A healthcare professional can give it, or some people might be able to do it on their own at home. FluMist is a live, attenuated vaccine. So, it's not recommended for people with a weak immune system or people who are pregnant. FluMist side effects include a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, and headache.

Indications for Flumist

Prevention of the flu (influenza) in people ages 2 to 49 years old

Pros and Cons for Flumist

Pros

Given as a spray into the nose
Option to give at home or have a healthcare professional give it
Approved for children as young as 2 years old

Cons

Not approved for people 50 years and older or people who are pregnant
Not recommended for people with a weak immune system
Might not be the best choice for people with breathing problems, like asthma

Common Side Effects for Flumist

Runny nose
Stuffy nose
Sore throat
Headache
Tiredness or weakness
Muscle aches

Warnings for Flumist

Allergic reactions
Wheezing
Guillain-Barré syndrome
Not recommended for people with a weakened immune system

Summary for Fluzone

Prescription only

The flu vaccine helps lower your risk of getting the flu from the influenza virus. There are many types of flu shots for adults and children that are given into the muscle. This includes standard flu shots (like Fluarix), as well as high-dose flu shots for older adults (like Fluzone High-Dose). There are also egg-free flu shots (like Flucelvax). Most people should get a flu vaccine every year. How well the flu vaccines work can change each year since the virus changes over time. Side effects include headache, muscle aches, and pain where you got the injection.

Indications for Fluzone

Prevention of the flu (influenza)

Pros and Cons for Fluzone

Pros

Can help lower your risk of the flu by 30% to 60% (depends on the year)
Helps protect you from common strains of the flu virus that can make you sick
Free or low-cost vaccine options might be available, even if you don't have health insurance
High-dose flu shots are available for older adults to help give better protection
Egg-free flu vaccine options available

Cons

Given as an injection into the muscle by a trained healthcare professional
Hard to predict exactly how well it'll work every year
Can cause side effects such as headaches and body aches
Can take up to 2 weeks before you're fully protected from the flu
Need to get a new flu vaccine every year for the flu season

Common Side Effects for Fluzone

Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
Muscle aches
Headache
Feeling unwell

Warnings for Fluzone

Allergic reactions
Possible fainting after vaccination
Guillain-Barré syndrome
Lower response to the flu vaccine for people with a weak immune system
Seizures caused by high fever in children 6 months to 4 years

Prices with our coupons for Flumist vs. Fluzone

Flumist1 nasal spray / 0.2ml

$33.40$36.19

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Fluzone1 syringe / 0.5ml

$27.62$55.46

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Flumist vs. Fluzone

FluMist

flu vaccine

Summary for Flumist

Indications for Flumist

Pros and Cons for Flumist

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Flumist

Warnings for Flumist

Summary for Fluzone

Indications for Fluzone

Pros and Cons for Fluzone

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Fluzone

Warnings for Fluzone

Prices with our coupons for Flumist vs. Fluzone

Browse medications by letter

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FluMist

flu vaccine

Summary for Flumist

Indications for Flumist

Pros and Cons for Flumist

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Flumist

Warnings for Flumist

Summary for Fluzone

Indications for Fluzone

Pros and Cons for Fluzone

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Fluzone

Warnings for Fluzone