Indications for Chemoprophylaxis

  • When vaccine is given when influenza is already circulating, chemoprophylaxis can be used to cover high-risk individuals or their caretakers for the two weeks required to develop immunity

  • Children aged <9 years who receive influenza vaccine for the first time can require 6 weeks of chemoprophylaxis (i.e., chemoprophylaxis for 4 weeks after the first dose of vaccine and an additional 2 weeks of chemoprophylaxis after the second dose).

  • Consider for persons at high risk who are expected to have an inadequate antibody response to influenza vaccine (patients with HIV, particularly those with advanced disease)

  • For use during peak influenza season by health care workers or others providing care to those at high risk but who have NOT been vaccinated.

  • For use during influenza outbreaks in institutions even if patients have been vaccinated

  • When an outbreak is caused by a strain of influenza that might not be covered by the vaccine

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