FluMist (influenza vaccine live, intranasal) is a brand-name vaccine that’s used to help prevent influenza infection (the flu) in adults and some children. FluMist comes as a nasal spray that’s given by a healthcare professional.
FluMist is a biologic and belongs to a drug class called vaccines. The FluMist vaccine is not available in a biosimilar version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of FluMist, including its strength and how it’s given. For a comprehensive look at FluMist, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for FluMist provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the FluMist dosage that’s right for you.
The information below describes FluMist’s typical dosage and other details about the drug.
FluMist form
FluMist comes as a liquid solution in a single-dose nasal spray unit. It’s given by a healthcare professional at your doctor’s office, healthcare clinic, or pharmacy.
FluMist strength
FluMist comes in one strength: 0.2 milliliters (mL).
Typical dosage
The following information describes the dosage that is commonly used in adults.
Dosage to help prevent influenza
Doctors may prescribe FluMist to help prevent influenza infection (the flu). The usual recommended adult dosage is one dose per flu season.
For more information about FluMist dosage, talk with your doctor.
Children’s dosage
FluMist is approved to help prevent the flu in children ages 2 years and older. The dosage of FluMist depends on the child’s age.
For children ages 2 years to 8 years, doctors may recommend one or two doses of FluMist per flu season. If your child’s doctor recommends two doses, the second dose will be given at least 1 month after the first dose.
For children ages 9 years and older, the usual recommended dosage is one dose per flu season.
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
Long-term treatment
FluMist is given once per flu season to help prevent the flu. Flu season is typically in the fall or winter.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about receiving FluMist.
FluMist comes as a liquid solution in a nasal spray. You’ll receive it at a doctor’s office, healthcare clinic, or pharmacy. Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give the dosage by spraying half of the dose (0.1 mL) in each nostril.
You can breathe as usual while receiving the dose of FluMist. You don’t need to sniff or inhale the vaccine.
If you have questions about how FluMist is given, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.