December 21, 2022 – The HHS has expanded access to Tamiflu through the Strategic National Stockpile because of an increase in demand during the worst flu season in more than a decade. Jurisdictions will work with their ASPR Regional Teams to evaluate any requests for Tamiflu through the SNS, ensuring that states, territories, and tribes receive the assistance they need without affecting the country’s preparedness for a future pandemic flu.
This announcement is the latest in a set of actions that the Biden-Harris Administration and HHS have taken to reduce the burden on health care systems and keep Americans healthy this winter. Last week, ASPR extended flexibility to states to use Tamiflu in state stockpiles that was previously reserved for a pandemic flu – making millions of treatment courses available to keep people healthy this winter.
“Today we are taking action so that every jurisdiction can meet the increased demand for Tamiflu this flu season. State stockpiles can be utilized, and if jurisdictions need access to the Strategic National Stockpile, they now have it to respond to the current seasonal flu outbreak,” HHS Secretary Xavier Beccera said in a statement.
HHS has partnered closely with jurisdictions for months to address any strain to health care systems created by the confluence of COVID-19, flu, and RSV – including a specific focus on expanding access to medicines under high demand. Manufacturers continue to report that they are running manufacturing facilities 24-7 to address high demand and have encouraged the public to only buy what they need.