Can’t I just take Tamiflu (olestamivir) instead of getting vaccinated?
Getting the vaccine is your best protection against influenza. The antiviral medications have significant limitations; although they may lessen symptoms, they are not a cure. During the 2007-08 flu season, a mutation in the seasonal flu virus occurred that provides resistance to olestamivir became more common in the United States, diminishing the effectiveness of this treatment. As of July 2009, 99% of influenza A tested is resistant to olestamivir in the US. Fortunately, resistance to swine flu has not occurred yet.
