How to Administer FluMist at Home

When the fall season arrives, so do all the signs at pharmacies urging people to get their flu vaccine. But life is busy, and it can be tough to find time to go get yours. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a way to have the vaccine come to you? The good news: Now there is.

In September 2024, the FDA approved FluMist (nasal spray flu vaccine) for self-administration and caregiver administration. This made it the first vaccine to be approved for people to give to themselves or a loved one at home.

If you’re considering this option for your yearly flu vaccine, there are some things to keep in mind. Knowing how to administer FluMist is crucial, because improper use may cause the vaccine to be less effective.

What is FluMist?

FluMist is one of the available flu vaccines that’s recommended this year. It’s FDA-approved for people ages 2 to 49 years old. Unlike most vaccines, it’s a nasal spray (not an injection). So if you don’t like needles, you may prefer this option.

FluMist is a live, attenuated vaccine. This means it contains live, but weakened flu strains. This can help stimulate a stronger immune response. But as we’ll discuss later, it’s not right for everyone.

What is the recommended FluMist dosage?

Similar to other flu vaccines, most people should receive 1 dose of FluMist once a year in the fall. But certain children under age 9 may need to receive 2 doses of the flu vaccine. Doses should be separated by at least 4 weeks. Your child’s pediatrician can let you know if they should receive 1 or 2 doses of the flu vaccine.

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Good to know: Getting your flu vaccine annually is important because your immunity to the flu vaccine weakens after several months. What’s more, the flu virus mutates over time. The flu vaccines are changed slightly every year to help target the strains that are most likely to be circulating during that flu season.

How to administer FluMist at home in 13 steps

FluMist is designed to be easy to use. But only adults ages 18 and older should self-administer it. Children ages 2 to 17 should have a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult give them their dose.

The 13 steps below explain how to administer FluMist:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Make sure your hands are fully dry before continuing.

2. Open the box and remove the FluMist sprayer. Grab it by the sprayer barrel — not the tip or plunger.

3. Check the sprayer’s expiration date and appearance. The liquid inside the sprayer barrel should be colorless or pale yellow and slightly cloudy. Don’t administer FluMist if it’s expired or appears discolored.

4. Don’t try to remove air bubbles. Small amounts of air in FluMist sprayers are normal and help deliver the full dose.

5. While holding the sprayer barrel with one hand, use your other hand to carefully remove the gray cap from the tip. Don’t remove the plastic clip (the dose divider clip) from the plunger yet.

6. Make sure your or your loved one’s head is upright. Standing or sitting upright in a chair are good positions.

7. Place the white sprayer tip inside one nostril. You don’t need to place it too far in. Don’t insert the entire tip.

8. Press the plunger as quickly as you can until it hits the dose divider clip. You can breathe normally. You don’t need to sniff during this step.

9. Remove the sprayer from the nostril. If liquid drips out of the nose, that’s OK and expected. Just wipe it away with a tissue.

10. Hold the sprayer body with one hand. Remove the dose divider clip from the barrel with your other hand.

11. Place the sprayer tip into the other nostril, similar to how you placed it in the first nostril.

12. With your or your loved one’s head upright, push the plunger as quickly as possible. Keep pushing it until the plunger stops.

13. Remove the sprayer from the nostril. Use a tissue to wipe away any liquid that drips out of the nose.

When you receive FluMist at home, it should come with a return shipping envelope. Place the empty sprayer in this envelope according to the directions. Then mail it back as instructed.

Don’t throw used FluMist sprayers in your normal trash. Since FluMist is a live (but weakened) vaccine, it’s considered medical waste. And there are strict regulations on how to dispose of the vaccine and its empty sprayer.

When should you use FluMist?

The best time to use FluMist is in the fall. It’s recommended to get your annual flu vaccine before the end of October. This ensures you receive the vaccination a few weeks before flu season starts (which can be as early as October). It takes your immune system about 2 weeks to protect you after receiving FluMist.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• All about FluMist: Learn more about the nasal spray flu vaccine, including its effectiveness and where you can get it.

• The best flu vaccine for you: Pharmacists review the available flu vaccines and how effective they might be.

• Does the flu vaccine work? Yes, it does. Physicians detail how flu vaccinations work and why they’re beneficial for nearly everyone.

If it’s already past October, you should still get your flu vaccine. Just get it as soon as you can. Late vaccination is better than no vaccination.

Who should not use FluMist?

FluMist isn’t right for everyone. You should not use FluMist if you or the person you’re using it on:

• Are under age 2

• Are age 50 and older

• Are pregnant

• Have had a severe allergic reaction to any flu vaccine

• Are age 2 to 17 and take medications that contain aspirin or salicylates (medications that are chemically similar to aspirin)

• Are age 2 to 4 and have asthma or a history of wheezing in the past year

• Have a weakened immune system

• Take medications that weaken the immune system, such as prednisone

• Have recently taken flu antiviral medications, such as Tamiflu (oseltamivir) — your healthcare team can tell you how long you need to separate them

• Are living without a spleen or have a spleen that doesn’t work as expected

• Will be around others with weakened immune systems during the 7 days after administering FluMist

• Have a leak of the fluid in your brain or spinal cord

• Have cochlear implants (implantable devices that can help provide sound for certain people who are Deaf or have severe hearing difficulties)

There are also people who should ask a healthcare professional before using FluMist. These people may still be able to receive the nasal flu vaccine. But they may have a higher risk of certain side effects. Discuss FluMist with your healthcare team if you or the person you’re using it on:

• Are age 5 or older and have asthma

• Have other chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease

• Are currently sick

• Have experienced Guillain-Barré syndrome within 6 weeks of receiving a flu vaccine in the past

What should you do if you don’t administer FluMist properly?

In some cases, you may need to give a second dose if you used FluMist improperly. If you think you’ve administered it incorrectly, contact your primary care provider. You can also call FluMist’s support line at 1-877-633-4411. They can help determine if you need a second dose.

Keep in mind that sneezing after administering FluMist is normal. This doesn’t stop you from getting your full dose. And you don’t need to repeat the vaccine.

How to save on FluMist

There are ways to save on FluMist. Many health insurance plans fully cover the cost of flu vaccines. If you have commercial insurance, you may only need to pay an $8.99 shipping and processing fee to access FluMist for home delivery.

If you don’t have commercial insurance, you’re not eligible to get FluMist delivered to you. You’ll need to visit a healthcare professional, such as a pharmacist, to receive it. Many insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover flu vaccines at no cost when you receive them from a healthcare professional.

If you’re uninsured or underinsured, GoodRx can help you save. At certain pharmacies, you can find FluMist prices as low as $32.65 with a free GoodRx discount. There are also many programs available to help you access low-cost or free flu vaccines.

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Written by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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