Free flu antiviral drug plan extended
OCT. 31: The antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Eraflu have been distributed to about 4,000 medical facilities nationwide for people in seven groups who develop flu-like symptoms
By Lo Pi and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writer
As the domestic influenza epidemic enters its peak season and continues to escalate, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) yesterday announced that publicly funded influenza antiviral drugs for seven eligible groups have been extended to Oct. 31, allowing those who develop flu-like symptoms to receive the medication without undergoing a rapid influenza test.
The CDC has extended the expanded use of flu antiviral drugs to seven groups: healthcare and influenza-prevention personnel; residents and staff at nursing homes, long-term care facilities and similar institutions; kindergarten and daycare workers and home-based caregivers; students from kindergarten through high school, vocational high school and the first three years of junior colleges; people who live with or care for those at high risk of severe influenza; livestock and poultry farmers, zoo workers and animal disease-prevention personnel; and personnel in densely populated areas such as military camps where clusters are likely to occur.
The state-funded antiviral medicines are Tamiflu and Eraflu, both oseltamivir drugs, and have been distributed to about 4,000 contracted medical institutions nationwide, the CDC said.
A person receives a vaccine in an undated photograph.
Photo: Taipei Times
People who meet the eligibility requirements and develop flu-like symptoms do not need to take a rapid influenza test beforehand. Doctors can prescribe the drugs based on the patient’s condition and their clinical judgement, the CDC said.
The necessity of administering free antiviral drugs and the timing of treatment are also to be determined by doctors, it said.
The CDC said that influenza can cause serious complications and urged people to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop symptoms such as rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, cyanosis, bloody sputum, chest pain, altered consciousness or low blood pressure.
The CDC advised people to wash their hands frequently, practice good cough etiquette and wear a mask when they have respiratory symptoms.
Students with flu-like symptoms should seek medical attention and get plenty of rest, returning to school only after they have recovered to prevent the virus from spreading among classmates.
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