Only 42% of High-Risk Flu Patients Started Tamiflu Over Two Seasons, and Fewer Than Half Finished the Course
A CDC-led study reveals that fewer than half of high-risk flu patients started antiviral treatment during the 2023-2025 seasons. Furthermore, less than half of those who began the medication completed the full recommended course.
Why it matters
Low adherence to antiviral protocols among vulnerable populations increases the risk of severe complications and hospitalizations during flu season.
Fewer than half of people at higher risk for serious flu complications started the antiviral oseltamivir, sold as Tamiflu, after a confirmed flu diagnosis during the 2023 - 2024 and 2024 - 2025 seasons. In a CDC-led study, only 172 of 406 higher-risk patients, or 42%, began treatment.The gap continued after the first dose. Among higher-risk patients who started and could be tracked, only 69 of 163, also 42%, finished the recommended course of at least 10 doses. The study was published Sept. 21 in Open Forum Infectious Diseases and highlighted this week by CIDRAP.The findings arrive as a new flu season gets underway. For parents of toddlers, adult children caring for aging parents, and anyone with asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, the message is about timing.
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