The US Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the first flu vaccine that does not have to be administered by a health care provider, but it won’t be available in time for this respiratory virus season.

In a first, the Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved AstraZeneca's FluMist, a nasal spray flu vaccine that anyone can self-administer.

The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the first at-home flu vaccine, a nasal spray that consumers with a prescription will be able to order online starting next year. Health experts say the convenience of the spray — FluMist — could lead to increased flu vaccination rates.