Influenza Antiviral Medications

Influenza Virus Prevention and Control Among Specific Populations

Each year, ACIP provides general information regarding the prevention and control of influenza with vaccines.

• Grohskopf LA, Alyanak E, Broder KR, Walter EB, Fry AM, Jernigan DB. Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—United States, 2020–21 Influenza Season. MMWR Recomm Rep 2020;69(No. RR-8):1–24. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.rr6908a1external icon.
• American Academy of Pediatrics. Committee on Infectious Diseases. Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2019 – 2020pdf iconexternal icon. 2019;144(4): e20192478​​

Below additional guidance on antiviral treatment of influenza and other reports related to prevention and control of influenza among specific populations (e.g., immunocompromised persons, health care personnel, hospital patients, pregnant women, children, and travelers) are available:

• American Academy of Pediatrics. Committee on Infectious Diseases. Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2018 – 2019.external icon2018;142(4). e20182367. doi: 10.1542/peds.2018-2367. 2018- 2367. PubMed PMID: 30177511.
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Obstetric Practice. ACOG Committee. Opinion No. 732: Influenza Vaccination During Pregnancypdf iconexternal icon. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2018 Apr;131(4):e109-e114. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002588. PubMed PMID 29578985
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Immunization of health-care personnel: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).Morbidity and mortality weekly report: Recommendations and reports. 2011;60(Rr-7):1-45. Epub 2011/11/24. PubMed PMID: 22108587.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention Strategies for Seasonal Influenza in Healthcare Settings.
• European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Expert opinion on neuraminidase inhibitors for the prevention and treatment of influenza – review of recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses.external icon2017; Stockholm: ECDC; 2017.
• Food and Drug Administration. Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluationsexternal icon
• Food and Drug Administration. Influenza (Flu) Antiviral Drugs and Related Informationexternal icon.
• National Institutes of Health. http://Clinicaltrials.govexternal icon Registry of federally and privately supported clinical trials conducted in the United States and around the world.
• Tablan OC, Anderson LJ, Besser R, Bridges C, Hajjeh R. Guidelines for preventing health-care–associated pneumonia, 2003: recommendations of CDC and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee. Morbidity and mortality weekly report: Recommendations and reports. 2004;53(Rr-3):1-36. Epub 2004/03/30. PubMed PMID: 15048056.
• World Health Organization. WHO Guidelines Approved by the Guidelines Review Committee. WHO Guidelines for Pharmacological Management of Pandemic Influenza A(H1N1) 2009 and Other Influenza Viruses.pdf iconexternal iconGeneva: World Health Organization; 2010.

Archived Resources

• CDC Expert Commentary on Medscape: High-Risk Patient with Possible Flu? Start Those Antiviralexternal icon(Video, password required) April 20, 2015
• Review the references cited in the Guidance on the Use of Influenza Antiviral Agents
• Medical Office Telephone Evaluation of Patients with Possible Influenza January 27, 2015
• CDC Health Update Regarding Treatment of Patients with Influenza with Antiviral Medications Distributed via the CDC Health Alert Network, January 9, 2015, 11:00 ET, CDCHAN-00375
• CDC Health Advisory Regarding the Potential for Circulation of Drifted Influenza A (H3N2) Viruses. Distributed via the CDC Health Alert Network, December 3, 2014, 16:00 ET (4:00PM ET), CDCHAN-00374
• Have You Heard: CDC Recommendations for Influenza Antiviral Medications Remain Unchanged  April 10, 2014
• Clinician Misperceptions Related to Influenza Testing and Treatment external icon January 23, 2014
• Flu Spotlight: CDC Research Confirms Benefits of Flu Antiviral Drugs, Even Beyond 2 Days After Symptoms Start  November 22, 2013
• Have You Heard: CDC Influenza Antiviral Statement  February 7, 2012
• FDA Drug Safety Communication: Important safety changes to the influenza drug Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) for oral suspensionexternal icon July 11, 2011