• Influenza
  • Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) Issues

Can FluMist (LAIV) be given to contacts of immunosuppressed patients?

With rare exceptions, yes. Like other live vaccines, FluMist (LAIV) should not be administered to immunosuppressed people. ACIP has stated a preference for using injectable influenza vaccine for all close contacts of severely immunosuppressed individuals during those periods in which the immunosuppressed person requires care in a protective environment because of the theoretical risk that the live attenuated vaccine virus could be transmitted to the severely immunosuppressed individual and cause disease. Healthcare personnel or other people who have close contact with people with lesser degrees of immunosuppression (people who do not require a protective environment such as reverse isolation in a hospital setting) who are otherwise eligible for FluMist may receive it. No special precautions need to be taken by the vaccinated person.

Last reviewed: August 11, 2024

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