Guidance on the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza in children under the age of 1 year following an assessment of the risk vs. benefit of treatment in each case is now available (see attachment) and the following recommendations have been made:

• If treatment with oseltamivir is considered for infants less than 1 year, 2 mg per kg twice daily for 5 days would seem a reasonable choice (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US give a different dose recommendation based on dose banding according to age, however specialist advice is that weight based dosing is a better approach). 

• For post exposure prophylaxis a dose of 2mg per kg once daily for 10 days would be reasonable as it is in line with the dosing schedule in older children. 

• Given the unlicensed nature of use in this age group and the limited data available, it would be advisable to consider gaining informed consent from parents, where possible, when initiating treatment.