Presented by Plan B One Step — For the first time, adults will be able to administer their own flu vaccines after the FDA approved a nasal spray to be administered without a health care provider being involved{beacon} Health Care Health Care   The Big Story FDA approves first self-administered flu vaccineAdults will be able to administer their own flu vaccines after the Food and Drug Administration approved a nasal spray to be administered without a health care provider being present. © APThe nasal spray vaccine known as FluMist has been approved for over 20 years. It can be administered to individuals between 2 and 49 years of age.  Nasal spray vaccines are considered a viable alternative to shots that offer a higher degree of convenience. Commonly reported side effects included fever, runny nose, congestion and sore throat.   “Today’s approval of the first influenza vaccine for self- or caregiver-administration provides a new option for receiving a safe and effective seasonal influenza vaccine potentially with greater convenience, flexibility and accessibility for individuals and families,” Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in a statement.  Here’s what to know:  With the FDA’s approval, the vaccine can now be administered either by a health care provider in a health care setting or by a vaccine recipient or caregiver who is 18 and older. Those interested in self-administering FluMist will still need a prescription.  Once it’s available, FluMist will be delivered to the homes of interested adults. Its manufacturer AstraZeneca has stated more information can be found at FluMist.com.  Nationally, flu vaccination rates in the U.S. have been dropping since the COVID-19 pandemic, with rates dropping below 50 percent in the 2022-2023 flu season.   Welcome to The Hill’s Health Care newsletter, we’re Nathaniel Weixel , Joseph Choi  and Alejandra O'Connell-Domenech every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health.   Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.  Essential Reads How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond:  Harris invokes Georgia woman’s death in Atlanta speech on abortion rightsVice President Harris spoke forcefully Friday about the pain experienced by women in states with abortion bans, placing the blame for their suffering squarely on Republicans and former President Trump.  In remarks focused solely on abortion rights, Harris in Atlanta invoked the name of Amber Nicole Thurman, a 28-year-old Georgia woman who died of an infection after a rare complication from taking medication abortion. “We will …  Full Story  Former NYC COVID-19 czar admits attending sex, dance parties amid pandemic social distancingThe former New York City official in charge of the COVID-19 pandemic response has admitted to attending sex and dance parties during the height of the pandemic, despite telling others to social distance. A video posted Thursday by conservative podcaster Steven Crowder shows Jay K. 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The three companies combined administer about 80 percent of all prescriptions in the United …  Full Story   Around the Nation Local and state headlines on health care: Whooping cough cases in Wisconsin 12 times higher than last year, DHS says (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)  New York cancer death rate plummets, biggest drop among Black residents (Newsday)  Fatal overdose deaths down in the U.S. — but not in Utah and the West (Deseret News) What We're Reading Health news we've flagged from other outlets: Deadly high blood pressure during pregnancy is on the rise (NPR)  Vance floats new health plans for chronically ill, reopening ACA debate (The Washington Post)  Mpox is not under control in Africa, Africa CDC warns (Reuters)  What Others are Reading  Most read stories on The Hill right now: 5 takeaways from the latest flurry of Harris-Trump polls A plethora of polling has emerged in the past couple of days, giving fresh insights into the race for the White House. More than 20 swing-state polls … Read more GOP scrambles to contain Robinson fallout in North Carolina Republicans are scrambling to mitigate the fallout from North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson’s latest scandal, fearful it could cost … Read more  Close Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Health Care newsletter Subscribe