The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved patients or their caregivers to self-administer the flu vaccine in the form of a nasal spray, according to a press release from the organization. The drug FluMist is approved for use to prevent influenza caused by A and B viruses in people ages 2 to 49. It was licensed for use in ages 5-49 in 2003, and 2-5 in 2007, but only when administered by a professional health care provider. The spray contains live attenuated strains of influenza virus. The vaccine can only be purchased with a doctor's prescription. It can now be administered by a health care worker (including pharmacy staff), the patient themselves, or a caregiver, provided they are at least 18 years of age. According to post-marketing surveillance, the most common side effects of vaccination with the spray include fever up to 37.8 degrees Celsius in children ages 2-6, a sore throat in adults 18-49, and runny or stuffy nose in people of all ages.