For people living in residential aged care facilities who test positive for COVID-19 or influenza, there are antiviral medications that can help prevent serious disease. Antivirals may reduce the length and severity of their illness, decrease the risk of hospitalisation and assist in controlling outbreaks in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). For more information on managing outbreaks in RACFs please see public health guidance for acute respiratory illness in residential aged care facilities.
Oral antiviral medications available in Australia for COVID-19 and influenza | ||
Medication | Use | Access |
Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid™) |
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Molnupiravir (Lagevrio®) |
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Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) |
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Preparing for COVID-19 treatments
It is important for RACFs to collaborate with residents, their families, and their primary care providers to establish clinical assessment, treatment and referral pathways for residents as part of their outbreak preparedness work. This may include individual pre-assessment of residents for suitability for antiviral therapies, including post-exposure prophylaxis to support prompt access and safe administration.
The following resources have been developed to assist clinicians, residents, and their families to make informed decisions about antiviral medications.
- Antiviral treatment and prophylaxis in Residential Aged Care Facilities – Advice for residents and their families
- Antiviral treatment and prophylaxis in Residential Aged Care Facilities – Advice for clinicians
- Antiviral pre-assessment form for COVID-19 and influenza
Useful resources
ACT Health advice on managing exposures and outbreaks of ARI in residential aged care facilities:
Treatment guidelines for use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) are available:
- Use of Tamiflu in residential aged care | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
- Tamiflu Product Information (tga.gov.au)
Information on the clinical management of COVID-19 in RACFs and antiviral treatments can be found here:
- COVID-19 oral antiviral medicines in residential aged care (nps.org.au)
- Home - National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce (covid19evidence.net.au)
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Use of Lagevrio (molnupiravir) in residential aged care | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Use of Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir + ritonavir) in residential aged care | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
- Updated eligibility for oral COVID-19 treatments | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care