CDC Health Advisory – 12/22/22 – Antiviral Treatment of Influenza
On December 14, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a CDC
Health Advisory 482 to prioritize antiviral treatment of Influenza in the setting of reduced
availability of oseltamivir.
• Seasonal influenza activity is high across in Pennsylvania as well as in the United States.
Current activity is higher than peak levels during the past 6 flu seasons.
• Currently there is a shortage of osteltamivir. If oseltamivir is unavailable, oral baloxavir, inhaled
zanamivir, or intravenous peramivir can be used for early treatment of outpatients at increased
risk for complications who present with uncomplicated influenza, depending upon age and
contraindications.
• Antiviral treatment of outpatients should be prioritized for persons who test positive for
influenza within 2 days of illness onset.
• When there is limited availability of oseltamivir or other antivirals, patients with clinically mild
influenza who are otherwise healthy and not at increased risk of influenza complications can
be managed with supportive care without antiviral treatment.
• Offer current seasonal influenza vaccine to all eligible persons aged 6 months and older. Flu
vaccination is especially important for high-risk groups such as the elderly and pregnant
females.
• Flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine can be given at the same visit for those eligible to receive
both.
• H3N2-predominant seasons have been associated with more severe flu seasons, especially
among older adults and young children.
• Influenza is a reportable condition in Pennsylvania and all POSITIVE influenza laboratory test
results, lab-confirmed hospitalizations, and lab-confirmed deaths should be reported
electronically through Pennsylvania’s public health disease surveillance reporting system (PANEDSS).
• If you have additional questions about this guidance, please contact DOH at 1-877-PAHEALTH (1-877-724-3258) or your local health department.