FluMist is a live virus vaccine and a vaccinated person may potentially shed and transmit the live vaccine strain influenza virus to others. In 2016, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended against the use of this vaccine when it was found to be ineffective at preventing influenza. It was, however, approved as an option again for the 2018/2019 flu season without evidence to support that a revised formulation would offer any protection. FluMist will be available for use during the 2024/2025 season.
- Individuals who should not get a live nasal spray influenza vaccine or who should speak with their health care provider prior to vaccination include:
- Children younger than two years old
- Adults 50 years and older
- Persons with a history of a severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine or to a previous dose of any influenza vaccine
- Children two through 17 years of age who are receiving aspirin or undergoing aspirin-containing therapy
- Pregnant women
- History of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) within six weeks of a previous dose of influenza vaccine
- People with weakened immune systems (immunosuppression)
- Children two to four years of age who have asthma or have had a history of wheezing in the past 12 months
- People who have taken influenza antiviral drugs within the previous three weeks
- Persons 5 and older with asthma
- People who care for severely immunocompromised persons who require a protective environment
- Individuals with a cerebrospinal fluid leak
- Individuals with medical conditions which may put them at higher risk of serious flu complications (i.e., kidney, heart, or lung disease, kidney or liver disorders, metabolic or neuromuscular or neurologic disorders)
- People without a spleen, or those without a functioning spleen
- Individuals with cochlear implants
- People who are moderately or severely ill.
