Welcome to the FluMist® Website. This site is intended for Canadians looking to find out more information about FluMist®.
See the
differences
FluMist® nasal spray—
a gentle mist
Traditional flu shot
Latest World Health Organization recommendations for flu season
Flu viruses change from year to year. That's why the World Health Organization (WHO) makes annual updates on which strains of flu should be included in flu vaccines. The vaccine comes in trivalent and quadrivalent formulations, and the WHO makes recommendations for both.
The FluMist® vaccine is made from strains of the flu that are expected to come within the next year in North America. In 2025, FluMist® transitioned from a quadrivalent to a trivalent formulation, following the updated WHO guidance. The current trivalent version protects against three strains of flu—two A and one B strain—that global experts have identified as the most relevant for this flu season.
FluMist® is a fine mist that gets sprayed into your nose and protects you from the flu.
Ask your healthcare provider how you can get FluMist® today.
Is FluMist® right for me?
If you answer “No” to all of the conditions below, you may qualify for FluMist®
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Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider (including pharmacists) to see if FluMist® is right for you.
Curious about FluMist®?
See the resources below for more information
Find a pharmacy
FluMist® is available at select pharmacies. Because supply may change at any time, be sure to call to confirm if FluMist® is available at your pharmacy.
Frequently Asked
Questions about
FluMist®
A live, attenuated vaccine contains a weakened, but alive, form of the virus that causes the flu. This weakened virus does not cause disease and won't give you the flu. It is thought the live form of the virus allows the body to recognize multiple proteins on the surface of the virus and make antibodies to these proteins, both in the nasal cavity itself and systemically through the entire body.
The weakened virus produces an immune response similar to that caused by natural infection with wild-type viruses. Therefore, you may experience some flu-like symptoms that may be milder than those due to an influenza infection. If you have a weakened immune system or work or live with people who have a weakened immune system, talk to your healthcare provider before getting FluMist®.
The vaccine is a way to protect against influenza, a serious and potentially life-threatening infection. Getting vaccinated not only protects you, but also helps keep the people around you safe by slowing the spread of the virus.
FluMist® can protect adults and children aged 2-59 years against the flu. But as with any vaccine, talk to your healthcare provider to see if FluMist® is right for you and your family.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is the group responsible for recommendations of vaccines in Canada. NACI is a national committee of recognized experts in the fields of pediatrics, infectious diseases, immunology, medical microbiology, internal medicine, and public health.
NACI recommends that, when available, quadrivalent or trivalent vaccines, either in an inactivated (IIV-SD or IIV-cc) vaccine or live attenuated vaccine (LAIV) like FluMist®, should be used in children and adolescents 2-17 years of age who do not have contraindications.*†
NACI recommends that any of the available flu vaccines (trivalent or quadrivalent) can be used in adults 18-59 years of age who do not have contraindications.
LAIV is not recommended for healthcare workers, pregnant women, or adults and children with the following chronic health conditions:
- Cardiac or pulmonary disorders (includes bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis, and asthma)
- Diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases
- Cancer, immune compromising conditions (due to underlying disease, therapy, or both, such as solid organ transplant or hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients)
- Renal disease
- Anemia or hemoglobinopathy
- Neurologic or neurodevelopment conditions (includes neuromuscular, neurovascular, neurodegenerative, neurodevelopmental conditions, and seizure disorders [and, for children, includes febrile seizures and isolated developmental delay], but excludes migraines and psychiatric conditions without neurological conditions)
- Morbid obesity (BMI of 40 and over)
- Children 6 months to 18 years of age undergoing treatment for long periods with acetylsalicylic acid, because of the potential increase of Reye’s syndrome associated with influenza
* LAIV should not be used for children with severe asthma (defined as currently on oral or high-dose inhaled glucocorticosteroids or with active wheezing), those with medically attended wheezing in the 7 days prior to vaccination, those currently receiving aspirin or aspirin-containing therapy, those with immune-compromising conditions, and pregnancy.
† See guidelines for full recommendations.
No. The gentle mist that's sprayed into your nose is often enough for FluMist® to start working. So you don't need to inhale or sniff when you are getting FluMist®.
No. FluMist® does not contain thimerosal (a mercury-based preservative) or any other preservatives. Because FluMist® contains no preservatives of any kind, it needs to be refrigerated.
Yes. FluMist® doesn't contain any latex in the vaccine or the sprayer.
Like the flu vaccines you may be used to, most people need only one dose of FluMist® every year. But children 2-8 years old who have never been vaccinated against the flu should have a second dose 4 weeks after the first dose to get the best possible protection from FluMist®.
Like other vaccines, FluMist® may have side effects, but not everybody gets them. The most common side effects in kids aged 2 and up are runny/stuffy nose, reduced appetite, weakness, headache and fever.
No. FluMist® must be administered by a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Safety
Profile
Like the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccines that children normally get, FluMist® is a weakened live virus vaccine. It is designed not to cause the flu. Children may experience similar side effects to those of the regular flu shot.
FluMist® is a vaccine indicated for the active immunization of individuals 2-59 years of age against influenza caused by influenza virus subtypes A and type B contained in the vaccine. The vaccine contains three strains recommended by the WHO (northern hemisphere) for this influenza season and is not specifically indicated to protect against other strains of the virus. FluMist® is for the prevention, not treatment, of influenza.
FluMist® is contraindicated in individuals who: have had an allergic reaction to gentamicin, gelatin, arginine, or any of the other ingredients contained in the vaccine; have ever had a severe allergic reaction to eggs or egg proteins; have had an allergic reaction to previous influenza vaccinations.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your or your child’s healthcare professional before you or your child(ren) take FluMist®. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you or your child(ren):
- Are under the age of 18 years receiving aspirin or medicines containing aspirin.
- Have severe asthma or active wheezing.
- Have had Guillain-Barré syndrome with a previous flu shot.
- Are immunosuppressed due to disease or drug treatment, or associate with people who are immunosuppressed.
- Are pregnant or intend to become pregnant or are nursing.
FluMist® may not protect all individuals receiving the vaccine. FluMist® is for intranasal administration by a healthcare professional only (0.1 mL per nostril).
Talk to a doctor to see if FluMist® is right for you.
Possible
Side
Effects
Very common (occurs in >1 in 10 people)
- Children: runny or stuffy nose, reduced appetite, weakness, headache and fever
- Adults: runny or stuffy nose, headache, sore throat, weakness and cough
Common (occurs in <1 in 10 people)
- Children: muscle aches
- Adults: chills
Uncommon (occurs in <1 in 100 people)
- Rash
- Nose bleed
Rare (occurs in <1 in 1,000 people)
- Allergic reactions
Very rare (occurs in <1 in 10,000 people)
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
Unknown
- Worsening of symptoms of Leigh syndrome
These are not all the possible side effects you or your child may have when taking FluMist®. If you or your child(ren) experience any side effects not listed here, tell your or your child’s healthcare professional.
If you would like to report a side effect, please visit the Government of Canada Website or alternatively, the AstraZeneca Contact Us Page.
