Influenza Prophylaxis in Children: Could a Single Dose of One Drug Be an Option?

During annual influenza epidemics, the highest illness rates occur among children, who are also known to play substantial roles in influenza transmission among households and communities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend postexposure chemoprophylaxis with neuraminidase inhibitors for close contacts at elevated risk for influenza complications who have not been vaccinated or are unlikely to be protected through vaccination or other contact precautions at the time of exposure.¹ The effectiveness of postexposure prophylaxis with neuraminidase inhibitors is estimated to be 68% to 90%. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends oral oseltamivir prophylaxis in infants starting at 3 months of age and in high-risk children, and inhaled zanamivir prophylaxis is recommended only in children ≥5 years old.^1,2 Intravenous peramivir is not approved for children or for prophylaxis in the United States. The recommended duration of prophylaxis currently is 7 to 10 days from last exposure...