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

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.