While COVID-19 vaccination continues to provide the best protection, COVID-19 therapies are widely available to help treat eligible people who do get sick and are at risk of developing severe disease. Antiviral treatments for individuals at risk for COVID-19 reduces their risk of hospitalization and death.
The antiviral Paxlovid, along with Veklury (remdesivir), are currently the preferred treatments for eligible individuals (adults and children 12 and older) with positive COVID-19 test results and who are at risk for progression to severe COVID-19.
COVID-19 therapeutics should be considered for any individual with COVID-19 who meets the eligibility criteria:
- Test positive for SARS-CoV-2 (with PCR or antigen test, including at-home tests), AND
- Have symptoms consistent with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 & onset no more than 5 days, AND
- Have one or more risk factors for severe COVID
In this video, Colin Shepard, MD, CDC liaison to the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), provides more information about the at home use of Paxlovid for those who test positive for COVID‑19.
Additional Resources
- The FDA’s Paxlovid Patient Eligibility Screening Checklist Tool for Prescribers is a useful tool for assessing eligibility. See the
- FDA’s Fact Sheet for HealthcareProvidersfor detailed information about Paxlovid.
- This Fact Sheet, developed by Pfizer, provides valuable information for patients, families, and caregivers.