Update on antivirals and vaccines for seasonal and potential pandemic use

Abstract

Influenza pandemics have been a major concern owing to the high rates of morbidity and mortality, as well as high attack rates worldwide. Pandemics in 1918, 1957 and 1968 were caused by the introduction of novel antigenic strains of influenza. With the recent re-emergence of the avian influenza H5N1 during the 2004–2006 epizootic, there are concerns for another pandemic, which would potentially claim the lives of millions. While vaccination is the only proven means of controlling or eliminating a viral infection, it is recognized that vaccine development will take time and, thus, there has been a renewed interest in the potential role of antivirals in the prevention and control of pandemic influenza.

Keywords::

• amantadine
• influenza vaccination
• M2 ion channel blocker
• neuraminidase inhibitor
• oseltamivir
• pandemic influenza
• rimantadine
• zanamivir

Financial & competing interests disclosure

PA Tambyah has received research support from Baxter, Interimmune, Lily, Merck Sharpe Dohme and Wyeth, and speaker gifts from Pfizer, Bristol–Meyers Squibb, Wyeth and Johnson & Johnson. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.