FDA reviewing at-home nasal spray flu vaccine

(CNN) - You may be able to take your flu vaccine at home next year.

The Food and Drug Administration is reviewing an application for the nasal spray flu vaccine, called FluMist, to be self-administered at home.

The vaccine, which is the only nasal spray option against flu, has been on the market in the United States since 2003.

Drugmaker Astra Zeneca asked the FDA to allow adults ages 18 to 49 to be able to give themselves the vaccine or give it to children as young as 2 years old.

The drugmaker cited a usability study showing people can do it properly without a healthcare provider present.

Patients would still need to go through an online pharmacy system to order the vaccine, which would then be shipped to their home.

If approved, FluMist would be the first flu vaccine cleared for self-administration.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone age six months and older get a seasonal flu vaccine every year, but fewer than half of Americans get vaccinated.

Health authorities hope the option of a self-administration vaccine will increase uptake.