The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Roche’s Xofluza for the treatment of acute uncomplicated influenza in children aged five years and above who have been symptomatic for not more than 48 hours. This approval marks the first oral influenza medicine approved in the United States for children in the particular age group.
Levi Garraway, chief medical officer and head of global product development for Roche, said despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, influenza continues to be a threat to public health, and effective influenza antivirals still remain critical to alleviating the burden on the healthcare system.
Levi Garraway said Xolfuza has proven to be an important tool to prevent influenza in adults and adolescents, and they are pleased to now offer households and young children with their single-dose oral treatment.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza can be a serious disease for young children. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, there have been significantly fewer cases of Influenza, which is due in large part to mask wearing and social distancing.
Dr. Pedro Piedra, professor of molecular virology, microbiology, and pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, said young children have played a significant role in the community transmission of influenza. He said the annual influenza vaccine continues to be the most important step in preventing influenza in children.
