CPT® Code 90660

A trivalent live influenza virus vaccine (LAIV3) for intranasal use is designed to provide active, long-term immunity against influenza. Unlike immune globulins, which offer short-term, passive immunity, vaccines work by exposing the recipient's immune system to modified versions of specific viruses or bacteria. This exposure prompts the immune system to produce its own antibodies, enabling the body to remember how to respond to the actual virus upon future exposure. The intranasal influenza virus vaccine is classified as a live attenuated vaccine, meaning it contains a weakened form of the live influenza virus. When administered as a nasal spray, the LAIV stimulates the immune system to generate antibodies against the influenza virus. The vaccine is specifically cold-adapted and temperature-sensitive, allowing the virus to replicate only in the cooler environment of the nose and throat, thereby preventing it from spreading to the upper respiratory tract where temperatures are higher. The trivalent formulation includes two different strains of influenza type A and one strain of influenza type B, providing broad protection against circulating influenza viruses. It is important to note that this code specifically reports the vaccine product itself, and the administration of the intranasal vaccine should be reported separately.