A Dose of Good News

December 4, 2009

As the holiday travel season nears and H1N1 is at risk of spreading, HHS has worked to ensure that children and families can get the medicine they need, when they need it.

Over the next few weeks, additional shipments of pediatric Tamiflu will arrive in pharmacies around the country, Tamiflu-manufacturer Roche recently announced.  This is good news, since children rely on the antiviral in liquid form (oral suspension) and lower-dose smaller capsules. (Pharmacists do have the option of creating liquid Tamiflu for children using adult-sized capsules if the pediatric form is not available).

These additional shipments will help replenish the supply of pediatric Tamiflu nationwide, and will add to the 534,000 treatment courses that Secretary Sebelius released from the Strategic National Stockpile this fall. This antiviral medicine can reduce the severity and duration of influenza, and also reduce the risk of flu-related complications.

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and those around you from the flu.  Individuals in priority groups should get the H1N1 vaccine as soon as possible. These groups include: pregnant women, people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years, people with underlying conditions like asthma or diabetes, those who care for infants, and health care workers.