The F.D.A. authorized AstraZeneca’s treatment to be given outside a health care setting, although it will still need a prescription.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday it has approved AstraZeneca's influenza nasal spray vaccine for self-administration, making it the first of its kind that patients can give themselves.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the first flu vaccine that comes in the form of a nasal spray and can be administered at home — a development that infectious disease experts hope will boost access to and uptake of influenza immunization.