Can self- or caregiver-administered nasal spray influenza vaccination improve outcomes? An agent-based model using the framework for reconstructing epidemiological dynamics
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Newly licensed self- or caregiver-administered nasal spray live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), available to order for home delivery, may improve vaccination coverage (VC) among adults aged 18-49 overall, as well as among those in this age group who live in households with school-aged children. Using the agent-based Framework for Reproducing Epidemiological Dynamics, which simulates influenza transmission in US census-based populations with defined household structures, we modeled the impact of: (1) 5%-15% VC increase among those aged 18-49 through self-administration and (2) household-based strategies for ages 5-17 and 18-49 that may occur from home LAIV orders. The household strategies included vaccinating children aged 5-17, followed by their 18-49-year-old head of household (HH) (kids + HH), and vaccinating children aged 5-17 and all household adults aged 18-49 (kids + adults). A 5%-15% VC increase in adults aged 18-49 reduced symptomatic cases in all adults by up to 10%. Among household strategies, kids + adults yielded a higher VC increase (9.2%) and greater reduction in symptomatic cases (5.7%) among adults ≥18 than the kids + HH strategy. The convenience of self-administration and household-based LAIV strategies in homes with school-age children may enhance adult VC and reduce influenza burden.
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,625
OpenAlex ID: W7141544409