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 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.