Influenza virus prophylaxis in immunocompromised adults without HIV infection

Immunocompromised patients are at high risk of poor outcomes following influenza infection.

For postexposure influenza prophylaxis for immunocompromised patients, see Postexposure prophylaxis for influenza.

Primary antiviral prophylaxis may be indicated for immunocompromised patients during institutional outbreaks—consult the local infection control team. Evidence of influenza transmission in a high-risk unit (eg haematopoietic stem cell transplant [HSCT] unit) may be an indication for primary prophylaxis in all patients in the unit. If primary prophylaxis is indicated, use:

Duration of therapy: the duration of primary antiviral prophylaxis for institutional outbreaks is not established—seek expert advice from the local infection control team. Some units give prophylaxis for 10 days after the last confirmed case of influenza in the unit, but others give prophylaxis until the end of the influenza season.

For influenza immunisation recommendations, see the Australian Immunisation Handbook [URL].