(Jan. 30, 2025) – This week, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Preparedness announced the agency has been authorized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to use the state's Tamiflu (oseltamivir) stockpile in the event of localized shortages of influenza antiviral medication this flu season. According to KDHE's Preparedness Team, certain lots of 30 mg, 45 mg and 75 mg Tamiflu capsules, originally purchased for pandemic preparedness, are now authorized for use during the 2025–2026 influenza season. Local jurisdictions must be experiencing a shortage of commercially available products and be unable to purchase sufficient quantities to access stockpiled supplies. Contact KDHE.Preparedness@ks.gov for more information.
According to America's Health Rankings, only 40 percent of Kansas adults received the influenza vaccine during the 2024 – 2025 season. It's not too late to encourage your patients to get vaccinated this season. The Immunize Kansas Coalition offers educational modules and social media toolkits to raiseawareness and promote flu vaccination.
--Karen Braman