Be alert to FluMist indicated age range

Summary

We have identified reports of FluMist being administered in error to children under 2 years of age.

FluMist is a new influenza vaccine delivered via nasal spray and is indicated for the prevention of influenza in children and adolescents aged 24 months to less than 18 years.

Early clinical trial data indicated increased rates of hospitalisation in children aged 6–11 months and wheezing in children aged 6–23 months following vaccination.

A search of our Database of Adverse Event Notifications in May 2026, identified 161 adverse event reports for the trade name ‘FluMist’. Most of these reports (116) involved administration errors in children under 2 years of age, including*:

• 89 ‘product administered to patient of inappropriate age’
• 38 ‘wrong product administered’
• 4 ‘vaccination error’
• 3 ‘inappropriate schedule of product information’
• 1 ‘product label confusion’

* More than one term can be reported per adverse event report.

None of these reports was classified as serious.

What health professionals should do

To minimise the risk of incorrect administration of FluMist, health professionals should:

• Confirm the child is 24 months or older before administering FluMist.
• Carefully review the Product Information available on the TGA website, including the indication, dose, method of administration and contraindications.

Background

FluMist is a live attenuated influenza vaccine administered as an intranasal vaccine, with one spray given into each nostril. It may be given at the same time as live or non-live vaccines and has shown similar efficacy to injectable influenza vaccines in children.

FluMist is not currently funded under the National Immunisation Program. However, it is funded for children in some states and territories.

In states and territories where FluMist is not funded, it is available on private prescription.