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Flumist

This is a nasal spray instead of a shot

This is one of the vaccines for influenza (flu)

Ingredients:

Active ingredients:

3 types of live attenuated influenza (flu) virus

  • H1N1

  • H3N2

  • Victoria lineage

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The live, attenuated influenza virus is also cold-adapted, which means it can replicate in colder temperatures (like the nose) but not in the lungs where it is warmer.

Inactive ingredients:
Amounts are based on a 0.2 mL dose

Salts: help maintain the stability and pH of the vaccine

Carbohydrates: normally used as stabilizers in vaccines

Other Stabilizers:

Note: Some religions such as Judaism and Islam prohibit the consumption of porcine (pork) products. However, according to Jewish law, this does not extend to vaccines because it is not oral consumption. In addition, in Islam, the use of porcine gelatin in vaccines is permitted if lives are at risk and there are no alternatives.

Antibiotics: used to prevent contamination during manufacturing

Other:

Relevant Terms

  • Antibiotics: substances that kill bacteria or prevent them from dividing. Antibiotics are used in some vaccines to prevent contamination during the manufacturing process

  • Attenuated: The pathogen is weakened but not completely inactivated. Attenuated pathogens are too weak to cause disease in almost all people. If you are immunocompromised, talk to your doctor before receiving vaccines containing attenuated pathogens.

  • Carbohydrates: another word for sugars

  • pH: a measure of how acidic or basic a solution is. The scale ranges from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very basic). A pH of 7 is neutral.

  • Trivalent: Protects against three different versions of the pathogen (in this case, influenza virus)

Relevant terms

Sources

Last updated: July 25, 2025

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