PPE Requirements for FluMist Administration
Healthcare providers do not need to wear gloves or masks when administering FluMist (live attenuated influenza vaccine) to healthy patients in routine clinical settings. 1
Standard Precautions for Vaccine Administration
The American Academy of Pediatrics has clarified that gloves are not required when administering vaccines unless the healthcare professional has open hand lesions or will come into contact with potentially infectious body fluids. 1 This applies to FluMist administration in routine well-child care and vaccination settings.
Hand Hygiene Requirements
- Hand hygiene must be performed before and after every patient contact, regardless of glove use 1
- Use alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water for at least 15 seconds 1
- Hand hygiene is the single most important infection control measure for vaccine administration 1
When Gloves ARE Required
Gloves should be worn only in specific circumstances:
- When the provider has open lesions or cuts on their hands 1
- When contact with blood or body fluids is anticipated 1
- When administering vaccines to patients on contact precautions for other reasons 1
Mask Requirements
Masks are not indicated for routine FluMist administration because:
- The procedure does not generate splashing or spattering of blood or body fluids 1
- Standard intranasal vaccine administration is not an aerosol-generating procedure requiring respiratory protection 1
- Masks are only recommended when procedures are "likely to generate splashing or spattering" 1
Special Considerations
Live Virus Shedding
While FluMist contains live attenuated virus that can be shed by vaccine recipients 2, this does not require PPE for the administering provider. The concern is primarily for immunocompromised contacts of the vaccine recipient, not the healthcare worker performing the administration 2.
High-Risk Settings
If administering FluMist in settings with immunocompromised patients nearby (not the vaccine recipient themselves, as they should not receive FluMist):
- Consider spatial separation during administration 3
- Maintain standard hand hygiene protocols 3
- PPE is still not required for the administration itself 1
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Over-gloving: Unnecessary glove use can create a false sense of security and may reduce hand hygiene compliance 1
- Confusing live virus shedding with transmission risk: The live virus in FluMist poses minimal risk to healthcare workers; the concern is for severely immunocompromised household contacts of vaccine recipients 2
- Applying aerosol precautions inappropriately: Intranasal administration is not an aerosol-generating procedure 1