Why Did It Disappear
Until 2011, Primatene Mist contained chlorofluorocarbons , chemicals known to contribute to depletion of the ozone layer. The product was phased out in 2011, and became available for purchase again in 2019 using an alternative propellent called hydrofluorocarbons . HFCs are widely used in some of the most common types of inhalers.
The Food and Drug Administration also states that Primatene Mist should only be used by those with a prior diagnosis of asthma.
Asthma conditions can change over time. Just because youve previously had mild symptoms doesnt mean it will stay that way. If your asthma produces more serious effects like a constant feeling of tightness in your chest, fast heartbeat, or being so winded you cant eat, speak, or sleep, talk to your doctor about prescription medications.
Get Your Flu Shot Each Year
Because flu virus types can change from season to season, to best protect you from getting the flu, the Centers for Disease Control recommends you receive a seasonal flu vaccination each year.If you see an SSM Health providerSchedule your flu vaccination through MyChart or call .If you see a non-SSM Health providerContact your PCP’s office or get your vaccination at a pharmacy. If you receive pharmacy benefits through a carrier other than Dean Health Plan, be sure to confirm insurance coverage for any vaccine provided at your pharmacy. See our reimbursement form.
Early Fall Is The Perfect Time
Flu season can start early, and it takes about two weeks after receiving your vaccine for the full antibody effect to develop and provide flu protection. Thatâs why itâs better to get vaccinated in the fall, before the end of October ideally, before the flu season really kicks in. Flu vaccines are usually available by mid-September in most years.
But it’s never too late to get the flu vaccine if you miss out in the fall. Seasonal influenza disease usually peaks in January and February most years, but can occur late or early. This year, the CDC notes that flu season could be early due to low circulating virus and immunity from 2020, most likely due to protective measures from the COVID pandemic.
Be sure to get re-vaccinated each fall.
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Flumist And Other Vaccines
Heres some information on whether FluMist can be given at the same time as other vaccines.
FluMist is a live vaccine. This means that FluMist has live flu viruses in it that have been changed so that they shouldnt infect you with the flu. Inactive vaccines, on the other hand, dont have live viruses in them.
FluMist and inactive vaccines
FluMist hasnt been studied when given with inactive vaccines.
Examples of inactive vaccines include:
If you plan to get FluMist and think you need an inactive vaccine, ask your doctor when the best time is to get them.
FluMist and other live vaccines
FluMist is a live vaccine. It has been studied when given with other live vaccines.
One study looked at children ages 12 to 15 months. They received FluMist alone or FluMist with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine and chickenpox vaccines. There was no difference in how the childrens bodies reacted to the vaccines in either group. However, its important to note that FluMist isnt approved for use in children ages 12 to 15 months. The vaccine is approved to be used only in children and adults ages 2 through 49 years.
Examples of other live vaccines include:
The Flu Vaccine Is Affordable And Convenient
The flu vaccine has never been easier to get.
- You don’t have to wait in long lines or make a future appointment — the flu vaccine can be found at most independent pharmacies and major retailers such as Costco, CVS, Target, Walgreens, and Walmart.
- Your primary care doctor may offer them, too.
- Drive-through vaccination sites may be available call your local pharmacy.
Across the country, most pharmacists are now licensed to immunize, meaning they can give you the vaccine with little waiting. In addition, pharmacies or clinics will accept insurance for the vaccine which results in little or no copay to you.
If you have don’t have insurance, check to see if your local or state health clinic or employer is offering free vaccines. Even if you have to pay, the average $30-$50 cash price is well worth the price.
College students and others living in close quarters are especially susceptible to the flu, just like COVID-19. Students may be offered the flu vaccine at little to no cost in the campus clinic. College students should make it a priority to get their flu vaccine each fall.
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What Is Primatene Mist
Primatene Mist is an over-the-counter asthma inhaler. Although inhalers are typically prescription-only, Primatene can be obtained at many drugstores and offers fast relief of mild asthma symptoms.
Primatene Mist has been available for over 50 years. In 2011, Primatene Mist was taken off the market due to its use of chlorofluorocarbons CFCs, which for many years were used as propellants in sprays and mists like hairspray.
Theyre harmless on earth, but since theyre lighter than air, they float up into the atmosphere once released. Once they reach the upper atmosphere, they can damage the ozone layer and contribute to climate change. CFCs began to be phased out of consumer products in the late 1980s.
Some refer to Primatene Mist as a rescue inhaler, as its intended to relieve mild symptoms quickly, but is not intended for long-term use.
Talking To Your Doctor
Its always a good idea to talk with your doctor, especially if you havent gotten the flu vaccine before or if your health has changed. If you have an allergy or other condition that might make the vaccine risky for you, check with your doctor before getting vaccinated.
Here are a few questions to ask your doctor:
- Is there any reason why I shouldnt get the flu vaccine?
- What side effects might it cause?
- What should I do if I have side effects?
- Should I get the flu shot or nasal mist?
The flu vaccine is considered safe. You cant catch the flu from the vaccine, because the virus in the vaccine has been killed or weakened.
The live vaccine isnt recommended for people with weaker immune systems.
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Are There Delays In The Distribution Of Influenza Vaccine
Currently, influenza vaccine manufacturers are not reporting any expected delays in national flu vaccine supply or distribution this season.
Influenza vaccine production and distribution in the U.S. are primarily private sector endeavors. CDC encourages manufacturers and distributors to use a distribution strategy in which providers receive smaller shipments to allow as many providers as possible to begin vaccination activities early in the vaccination season. Ideally, the intervals between shipments are short so that each provider has a continuous supply and can continue vaccinating patients without interruption. While no important delays have been reported, in some places, robust demand for vaccine and supplies required to support flu vaccination efforts, like needles or syringes, may mean that some providers run out of vaccine or other supplies before their next shipment has arrived. An allocation system can initially limit the size of individual orders. However, as supplies become available in increasing numbers, supply is expected to catch up with demand. Additionally, because vaccine manufacturing has been extended to support the production of a record number of flu vaccine doses this year, providers are likely to receive more shipments throughout the season.
To make sure your provider has flu vaccine available, call ahead to confirm availability. There also may be other locations in your area that have vaccine available.
Side Effects And Risks
FluMist and Fluzone both contain vaccines to help prevent the flu. Therefore, these medications can cause very similar side effects, but some different ones as well. Below are examples of these side effects.
Mild side effects
These lists contain up to 10 of the most common mild side effects that can occur with FluMist, with Fluzone, or with both drugs .
- Can occur with FluMist:
Serious side effects
This list contains examples of serious side effects that can occur with FluMist and Fluzone when taken individually:
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Are There Any Contraindications To Giving Breastfeeding People The Nasal Spray Vaccine
Breastfeeding is not a contraindication for the nasal spray vaccine. Breastfeeding people younger than 50 years can get the nasal spray flu vaccine as long as they do not have a contraindication to getting that vaccine. See Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization PracticesUnited States, 202021 Influenza Season for a list of contraindications and precautions for the nasal spray vaccine.
What Are Other Ways I Can Protect Against The Flu
In addition to your yearly flu vaccine, there are a few other things you can do to protect your family and yourself from the flu. There are daily precautions you can take such as limiting contact with sick people as much as possible and washing your hands with soap and water often. If you have received a prescription for flu antiviral medications, it’s important to take them as directed by your health care provider.
But remember, the number one way to protect you and your family against the flu virus is to get vaccinated every year.
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Find A Flu Shot Location Near You
If you have a UnitedHealthcare health plan, you can get a flu shot at more than 50,000 locations.
Enter your ZIP code and select a pharmacy in your area, then select Find my flu shot to see results within a 20-mile radius from the center of your ZIP code.
Please note: If you’re using a screen reader, please select Participating pharmacies, then select a pharmacy to find a location near you.
How Much Does Flumist Cost
FluMist is fully covered by most commercial and government-funded insurance plans, including Medicare. This means that you wont need to pay a copay or co-insurance to get the vaccine.
If you are paying in cash for FluMist, GoodRx can help you save. The lowest price for FluMist on GoodRx is currently about $30.
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Can I Get The Flu Shot If I’m Pregnant
Yes, the CDC recommends receiving a flu shot during pregnancy. In fact, it is recommended that all women who are pregnant or may become pregnant during the flu season receive a flu shot during any trimester. A flu shot protects both the mother and the baby from getting the flu since the mother can pass some of the antibodies onto the baby. Any of the age-appropriate flu shots may be used. It is important that pregnant women only receive a flu shot the nasal spray flu vaccine is not recommended during pregnancy.
Alternatives For Preventing The Flu
Examples of other vaccines that may be used to help prevent the flu include:
- trivalent, high-dose flu shot
- quadrivalent flu shot made in eggs
- quadrivalent flu shot, egg-free
You may wonder how FluMist compares with other vaccinations that are for similar uses. Here we look at how FluMist and Fluzone are alike and different.
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Antivirals: What To Do When You Already Have The Flu
When you come down with the flu, antiviral medicine can shorten its duration. The FDA has approved six influenza antiviral drugs in the U.S. But theyre all in somewhat short supply, so you might not be given them if youre not a child or elderly. This is why we get our flu shots, people!
The antiviral you probably already know goes by the brand name of Tamiflu, which you can get over the counter with relative ease even if youre not young or elderly. This drug, along with two others that work in the same manner , block an enzyme the virus needs to replicate. They can shave up to a day off your illness, but they need multiple doses to keep the drug working. Tamiflu, for instance, requires patients to take it twice a day for five days.
The newest antiviral, Baloxavir marboxil , is a single-dose antiviral drug approved in 2019 by the FDA. Baloxavir is for people with basic flu who are 12 years and older and have had symptoms for less than 48 hours. In a phase 2 trial published by The New England Journal of Medicine, it shaved off upwards of 28 hours of flu symptoms . This antiviral stands out in that its the only one that gets to the root of replication, messing with the virus RNA to stop it from reproducing. Also, its one of the only ones to come in a single dose, so you can pop it once and forget about it.
Your Vaccination Can Be Added To Your Medical Record
Following your vaccination, with your permission, CVS Pharmacy or the MinuteClinic practitioner can notify your primary care physician so that the shot is added to your medical record.
For more information about vaccinations offered at CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic, as well as location-specific availability, visit cvs.com/pharmacy or minuteclinic.com/services.
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Can Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine Give Me Flu
Flu vaccines do not cause flu illness. The nasal spray flu vaccine contains weakened viruses, so that they will not cause flu illness. The weakened viruses are cold-adapted, which means they are designed to only multiply at the cooler temperatures found within the nose, and not the lungs or other areas where warmer temperatures exist.
Live Vs Inactive Vaccine
FluMist is a live vaccine. This means that FluMist has live flu viruses in it that have been weakened so that they shouldnt infect you with the flu.
In comparison, flu shots are inactive vaccines that dont have live viruses in them. As a result, flu shots cant cause the flu.
Because FluMist is a live vaccine, you shouldnt get FluMist if you have certain conditions, such as a weakened immune system. If you have a weakened immune system and youre immunized with FluMist, you may become infected with the flu. This is because your immune system may not be strong enough to fight the flu viruses in the vaccine.
If you have any questions about the difference between the FluMist nasal spray and a flu shot, talk with your doctor. They can help you decide which is the best option for you.
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Who Shouldnt Get Quadrivalent Flu Vaccine
Different influenza vaccines are approved for use in people in different age groups. In addition, some vaccines are not recommended for certain groups of people. Factors that can determine a persons suitability for vaccination, or vaccination with a particular vaccine, include a persons age, health and any allergies to flu vaccine or its components. For more information, visit Who Should and Who Should NOT get a Flu Vaccine.
Do You Need The Flu Shot If You’ve Received The Covid
Video transcript
If youve already gotten the COVID-19 vaccine, it is also recommended and important that you get the flu shot this year. One covers you against the influenza virus, and the other covers you for the COVID-19 viruses. Theyre two distinct vaccines.
Every year, the flu vaccine is different.
This year, we suspect that the cases for the flu may increase.
Once you get the flu shot, it takes two weeks to become effective in your system. So the earlier you get it, the less exposure you have to others who are sick within your community.
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Is A Preservative
A preservative-free flu shot is a type of flu vaccine that does not contain the antiseptic and antifungal agent known as thimerosal. The mercury-based compound is added to some vaccines to prevent the growth of bacteria, fungus, or other microorganisms that might contaminate a vial when a needle is inserted.
Some people seek out preservative-free shot because they have heard that vaccine preservatives may cause autism, a claim that studies have repeatedly shown has no relationship whatsoever to any vaccine or vaccine ingredient.
This include thimerosal. The side effects of flu shots containing thimerosal are ultimately the same as those that are preservative-free.
What Is The Flu
Influenza is a respiratory illness, which means that it affects your airways. It is spread easily from person to person through coughing, sneezing, and even talking. When you get the influenza virus it sometimes takes one to four days before you start noticing symptoms. This means that you could spread the flu to those around you before you even know that you’re sick. Adults may be able to spread the flu for up to seven days after first becoming sick, and children may continue to spread the flu for even longer.
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Where Can I Find Information About Vaccine Supply
Information about vaccine supply is available here.
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