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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found low use of COVID-19 antiviral drugs among individuals age 65 and older, even though it’s a population at high risk of severe illness and COVID-19–related hospitalization, according to the recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Researchers examined cases in outpatient settings with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result or COVID-19 diagnosis during June 1, 2023–September 30, 2025. A total of 482,456 patient encounters with a COVID-19 diagnosis were assessed, and results show 147,715 (31%) cases had a COVID-19 antiviral prescribed while 334,741 (69%) cases did not include an antiviral. Prescribing for older adults varied across analysis time periods, which researchers say reflects seasons of higher incidence of COVID-19:
- Summer 2023: 36.7%
- Fall–Winter 2023–2024: 37.6%
- Spring 2024: 21.5%
- Summer 2024: 37.6%
- Fall–Winter 2024–2025: 23.7%
- Spring 2025: 16.5%
- Summer 2025: 19.4%
By age group: CDC believes antivirals may be underprescribed for older adults overall. Adults ages 75-84 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.09) and 85 and older (aOR = 1.11) were more likely to receive an antiviral prescription than those ages 65-74. Among those who did receive a prescription, 80% were prescribed nirmatrelvir/ritonavir.