Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine

FluMist is a needle-free flu vaccine given as a gentle nasal spray. It has been used safely and effectively overseas (US/UK) for many years and is now approved in Singapore.

FluMist is approved for children and adults aged 2 to 49 years.

No. Currently there is no subsidy available for FluMist. (e.g. CHAS / Healthier SG / MediSave).

FluMist should not be used if you or your child:

• Have a severe allergy to eggs or to any flu vaccine

• Have had a severe reaction to a previous influenza vaccine

• Are 2–17 years old and taking aspirin

• Younger than 2 years old
  

Please inform doctor if you or your child:

• Have asthma or recurrent wheezing (especially under age 5)

• Are currently wheezing or unwell

• Have a weakened immune system

• Live with someone who is severely immunocompromised
  

It is recommended that pregnant women continue to take injection Flu vaccine as it has more established safety data for usage in pregnancy.

FluMist is not absorbed systemically and is not expected to affect breastmilk or the infant. However, as it is a live-attenuated virus vaccine. You may want to consider having an injectable Flu vaccine instead if you are breastfeeding young infants.

• It is sprayed into the nose (0.1 mL per nostril).
  

• You breathe normally.
  

• No needles, no injections.

• Ages 9–49: 1 dose per season
  

• Ages 2–8: 1 or 2 doses, depending on previous flu vaccination history

Yes. FluMist, the needle-free nasal spray flu vaccine has been shown in multiple clinical studies to be effective in preventing influenza, with protection comparable to the traditional injected flu vaccine.

In large paediatric trials, FluMist demonstrated strong protection across influenza A and B strains. In some seasons, FluMist showed higher effectiveness than the injected flu vaccine for certain matched strains. However, effectiveness varies each season depending on circulating strains, just like with the injected flu vaccine.

Both FluMist and the injected flu vaccine remain effective options for flu prevention in Singapore.

If you are looking for a flu vaccine without injections or are anxious about needles, FluMist provides a clinically proven alternative.

Most side effects are mild and short-lived:

• Runny or blocked nose
  

• Sore throat
  

• Fever (mainly in younger children)
  

• Headache or tiredness
  

• Cough

No. FluMist contains weakened (attenuated) influenza viruses that do not cause typical influenza.