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Antiviral treatment of influenza

Questions and answers

Frequently asked questions about the use of antivirals for prevention and treatment of influenza.

Infographic: How do antivirals treat and protect against influenza?

Vaccination is the most effective form of influenza prevention. However antivirals can be useful when the vaccine is less than optimally effective especially to treat patients with severe influenza or those at high risk of the complications of influenza.

Neuraminidase inhibitors for the prevention and treatment of influenza

This ECDC expert opinion confirms earlier assessments by ECDC and national authorities that there is no significant new evidence to support any changes to the approved indications and recommended use of NAIs in EU/EEA Member States.

Related updates on antiviral treatment of influenza

Publication

Seasonal influenza vaccination and antiviral use in EU/EEA Member States

technical report -

News

Influenza vaccination coverage rates insufficient across EU Member States

news story -

Publication

Expert opinion on neuraminidase inhibitors for the prevention and treatment of influenza - review of recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses

expert opinion -

Publication

Seasonal influenza vaccination in Europe – Vaccination recommendations and coverage rates for 2013-14 and 2014-15

technical report -

News

New and updated evaluations of neuraminidase inhibitors for preventing and treating influenza published

ECDC comment -