FluMist Vaccine: 7 Surprisingly Honest Lessons from My Chaotic Experience
Okay… I Was NOT Ready for the FluMist Vaccine (Like, at ALL)
I’m just gonna say it straight:
The first time I heard about the FluMist vaccine, I thought it was some fancy “bougie” upgrade for people who don’t like needles.
And yes, I’m absolutely calling myself out — because that’s exactly why I got it.
I’m the worst with shots.
Not scared.
Just… dramatic.
My brain turns into a toddler the second I see a needle. Like, my soul leaves my body and watches from the ceiling.
So when my friend Nicole told me: “You know they have the flu vaccine you just sniff, right? Like a nasal spray?”
I swear to God I thought she was making fun of me.
But nope — it was real.
And this is the story of how I tried the FluMist vaccine, made every mistake possible, panicked for no reason, googled things I shouldn’t have googled, and somehow ended up… kind of appreciating the whole thing.
This isn’t medical advice.
It’s just my chaotic, very-human journey with this thing.
Let’s get into the mess.
How I Ended Up Getting the FluMist Vaccine (Against My Own Will, Kind Of)
It started on a Monday. And not a normal Monday — a post-Thanksgiving Monday, when I was still 70% mashed potatoes.
My boss sent out an email: “Free flu vaccines in the conference room today.”
Everyone else shrugged.
I panicked.
Needles???
On a MONDAY???
After a HOLIDAY???
After I ate an entire pie by myself???
No, thank you.
I tried to hide in my cubicle, but of course my manager found me pretending to “deeply analyze a spreadsheet,” which was actually an empty Excel sheet with one cell that said: help.
He walked me straight to the line like a kid being dragged to school.
And that’s when I saw it — a little sign on the table that said:
“FluMist available (while supplies last).”
And I’m pretty sure the clouds parted and angels sang.
My First Thought: “Oh cool, I just inhale it. Easy.”
Listen.
Nobody warned me that the FluMist vaccine hits the back of your nose like a mini tidal wave from a sadistic beach.
The nurse was super nice. She said: “Just keep your head straight and breathe normally.”
Normal?
Ma’am, nothing is normal in this room.
Anyway, she sprayed it.
And wow.
My whole brain lit up like someone pressed a reset button behind my eyes.
It didn’t hurt — but it was definitely… a moment.
Kind of like getting pool water in your nose — minus the chlorine and plus some mystery science.
The 7 Lessons I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Tried the FluMist Vaccine
Because you deserve to walk into this with more dignity than I did.
1. You WILL Feel It. Not Pain. Just… Awareness.
People make it sound like:
“Just a little spray, you won’t even notice.”
No. Wrong. Lies.
I noticed.
It’s not painful.
More like the feeling you get when you accidentally inhale air too fast and your nose goes:
“Whoa, rude.”
It fades fast though — like within seconds.
But my eyes definitely did that involuntary “Oh???” thing.
2. Don’t Plan Anything Cute Right After
This is important.
Do NOT — under any circumstances — plan:
-
a date
-
a meeting
-
a Zoom call
-
a photoshoot
-
brunch
-
a Target run
-
anything where you must look normal
Because right after the FluMist vaccine, I sneezed like six times in a row and one sneeze nearly folded me in half.
My eyes were watery.
My nose was offended.
My soul was trying to evacuate my body.
It passed fast, but still.
Give yourself at least 20 minutes of “don’t look at me” time.
3. You Will Overthink Every Single Sensation
At least I did.
After I got it, I sat in my car googling:
-
“Is sneezing after FluMist normal?”
-
“Can FluMist make you grow gills?” (don’t judge me)
-
“Why does my left nostril feel spicy?”
-
“Is it possible I did the sniff wrong?”
Apparently, it’s very normal to feel weird for a little bit.
Your nose just isn’t used to strangers walking in without knocking.
4. It Doesn’t Make You Feel Like the Flu Shot — At Least It Didn’t for Me
Here’s the thing:
Every time I get the regular flu shot, I get that heavy-arm “wow I’m made of wet sand” feeling for a day.
With the FluMist vaccine, I didn’t get the arm pain because, uhh… no needles.
But the next day?
My nose felt kind of… confused.
Not sick.
Not runny.
Just like my nostrils were having an identity crisis.
Still, I felt way less sluggish than I usually do after a shot.
5. My Biggest Surprise: I Didn’t Get Sick That Winter
I hesitate to even say this because every flu season is different, and maybe I just got lucky.
But that winter — the year I tried FluMist — I didn’t catch anything.
Meanwhile, everyone in my office was dropping like dominoes.
One guy coughed so hard his FitBit thought he was running and congratulated him.
But me?
Nothing.
Maybe it was the vaccine.
Maybe it was luck.
Maybe it was the prayers I whispered into my pillow every night like a Victorian child.
All I know is: I felt oddly proud of my immune system.
6. Kids Get This All the Time… and Handle It Better
Found this out later.
Meanwhile, I was in my car making a dramatic “final will and testament” video.
Kids really are built different.
7. If You Hate Needles, It’s Honestly Kind of a Blessing
Let me be extra honest here:
The FluMist vaccine single-handedly saved me from:
-
a panic attack in the nurse’s chair
-
that awkward small talk before a shot
-
sweaty palms
-
the urge to faint theatrically
-
the whole “don’t look at the needle” ritual
-
needing to pretend I’m brave for 15 seconds
If you’re needle-phobic, this thing is like a cheat code.
The Weirdest Part of My FluMist Vaccine Story
Okay, this is embarrassing, but whatever — we’re being honest here.
That night, I kept trying to “smell test” myself.
Like:
-
Does my left nostril still work?
-
Do I smell coffee?
-
Do I smell my lotion?
-
Do I smell my dog’s weird feet? (they smell like corn chips, don’t lie)
My senses were fine.
Actually, sharper?
Maybe I imagined that.
But every now and then I remembered the nurse’s words: “Just breathe normally.”
And I would laugh because nothing about that day was normal.
Flash Forward: The Next Year I Got It Again
And guess what?
The second time wasn’t dramatic at all.
No panic.
No anxiety.
No random googling.
No six-sneeze combo moves.
It was almost… boring.
I actually walked in like a functional adult and walked out like nothing happened.
Which made me realize something:
The fear was the worst part — and that was all in my head.
The Honest Part: Is the FluMist Vaccine for Everyone?
I can only speak from my experience.
For me:
-
It was easy
-
It was fast
-
It was less scary
-
It didn’t mess with my week
-
It kept me healthy that season
But I also know some people can’t get it for medical reasons.
Or it might not be the right fit for everyone.
And that’s okay.
My story is just… my story.
Nothing more.
FAQs I Googled So You Don’t Have To (Again, My Experience Only)
Because yes, I was absolutely that person who sat in a Walgreens parking lot reading forums like my life depended on it.
“Does the FluMist vaccine make your nose feel weird?”
A little. For me it did. It wasn’t painful — more like “Huh, that’s new.”
“Did it drip down your throat?”
No. I was convinced it would. It didn’t.
“Did people judge you for choosing it?”
Only the guy who thinks he’s a doctor because he watched three episodes of House.
“Will I sneeze?”
I did. Many times. Dramatically.
“Would you choose it again?”
Yep — and I did.
The Moment Things Really Clicked for Me
This happened a week later.
My coworker Sarah — who always tries to act like she’s unshakeable — called out sick.
Then three more coworkers.
Then my boss, who never misses work unless he’s literally on fire.
Suddenly I realized…
I was the only one still upright.
I remember sitting at my desk thinking: “Huh… maybe that little nose spray did something after all.”
I didn’t expect to feel… relieved.
Or proud.
Or weirdly grateful.
But I did.
It hit me that I had spent YEARS being terrified of a needle when there was a simple alternative just sitting there the whole time.
So… Would I Tell a Friend to Try the FluMist Vaccine?
If they're like me — scared of needles, dramatic, overthink everything?
Absolutely.
If they prefer shots and trust them more?
Cool, do you.
If they’re just curious?
I’d say my experience was smooth, way less stressful, and honestly kind of a game-changer.
And Here’s the Part I Didn’t Expect to Share
There was one moment — a small, silly one — that sealed it for me.
A week after getting the FluMist vaccine, I visited my niece.
She’s five.
Terrified of shots.
Just like me.
My sister said:
“She has to get her flu vaccine soon. She’s already freaking out.”
So I told my niece:
“Well, guess what? I didn’t get a shot. I got a spray in my nose. No needles.”
Her eyes got SO big.
And she said: “In your NOSE? That’s funny!”
And she laughed.
That was it.
I realized something tiny but important:
Sometimes the best part of trying something new isn’t that it helps you…
It’s that it helps someone else be less scared.
If You’re Still Debating the FluMist Vaccine… Here’s My Honest Take
You’ll be okay. Really.
It’s weird for like 10 seconds.
You might sneeze.
Your nose might be dramatic about it.
But then life goes on.
Way easier than with a shot — at least for me.
And if you’re needle-phobic?
This might feel like someone handed you a “Get Out of Jail Free” card.
No drama.
No tears.
No fainting spells.
No stress sweats.
Just a spritz and done.
Honestly…
It made flu season feel less scary.
And feeling less scared matters more than people admit.
So yeah — the FluMist vaccine wasn’t magic.
It wasn’t perfect.
It wasn’t glamorous.
But for me?
Total.
Game.
Changer.
If you ever try it… just remember:
Breathe normally.
(Or at least pretend you know how.)
And if you sneeze six times in a row?
Congratulations — you’re normal.
