Flumist and Asthma

• Generic Name: influenza virus vaccine, live, trivalent
• Dosage Forms: intranasal spray
• Other Brand Names:

  FluMist 2018-2019, FluMist Quadrivalent, Flumist, FluMist 2010-2011, FluMist 2011-2012, FluMist 2012-2013, FluMist 2013-2014, FluMist 2014-2015, FluMist 2015-2016, FluMist 2016-2017, FluMist Quadrivalent 2019-2020

FluMist (influenza virus nasal vaccine) is used to prevent infection caused by influenza virus. The vaccine is redeveloped each year to contain specific strains of activated (live) flu virus that are recommended by public health officials for that year.

FluMist nasal spray is a "live virus" vaccine. Influenza virus vaccine is also available as an injection (flu shot) which is a "killed virus" vaccine. This medication guide addresses only the nasal form of this vaccine.

FluMist is for use in adults up to 49 years old, and children who are at least 2 years old.

FluMist works by exposing you to a small dose of the influenza virus, which helps your body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Becoming infected with influenza is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine. Influenza causes thousands of deaths each year, and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

Like any vaccine, FluMist may not provide protection from disease in every person.

Influenza (commonly known as "the flu") is a serious disease caused by a virus. Influenza virus can spread from one person to another through small droplets of saliva that are expelled into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can also be passed through contact with objects the infected person has touched, such as a door handle or other surfaces.