The news: AstraZeneca is rolling out the first flu vaccine for at-home use, a nasal spray called FluMist Home.
How we got here: AstraZeneca has marketed the FluMist nasal spray vaccine for more than 20 years for administration by healthcare providers but received FDA approval in September for the at-home version for people ages 2 to 49.
- Consumers can now order FluMist Home online through a third-party pharmacy. A healthcare provider will review the order and insurance will be confirmed before patients can choose a shipping date.
- AstraZeneca will use cold chain shipping, and the packaging will include a tag that can be scanned to ensure the vaccine stays at the proper temperature.
- Flu vaccinations are covered as preventive care by most commercial insurers, but AstraZeneca will charge $8.99 for processing and shipping.
Zooming out: AstraZeneca is launching an ad campaign, including national TV commercials, to promote FluMist Home. The first TV spot features people in everyday scenes, including a baseball game, beauty shop, and firefighters at work all talking about how the at-home flu vaccine works.