The Health Secretary Andy Burnham today moved to quell concerns over the use of anti-virals Tamiflu or Relenza in children with symptoms of swine flu.
Mr Burnham gave a series of radio and TV interviews reaffirming that GPs should stick with existing guidance and continue with the policy of offering antivirals to children.
His intervention follows yesterday's widespread publication of a BMJ study which concluded that the anti-virals only led to a minor reduction in the length of time that children with mild cases of seasonal flu were ill.
The study also reported that the drugs offered little protection in in 5% of cases Tamiflu cased vomiting which could lead to dehydration and complications.
The researchers Dr Matthew Thompson a clinical scientist, and Dr Carl Heneghan,a clinical lecturer, both from Oxford University and also both GPs, looked at a seven previous reviews of the effectiveness of the anti-virals in reducing seasonal flu complications.
They showed that antivirals can shorten the duration of normal seasonal flu in children by up to a day and a half, but that they have little or no effect on asthma flare-ups, ear infections or the likelihood of children needing antibiotics.
They conclude that although the studies they examined were focused on seasonal flue that these drugs are unlikely to help children who catch the H1N1 virus.
And they said that while the mortality and morbidity due to the current strain of swine flu remains low and with a limited amount of data the government might do better to adopt a more conservative strategy, given the side effects and the potential for the virus to develop resistance.
GMTV's Andrew Castle grills health secretary Andy Burnham on Tamiflu: YouTube, 11 August 2009
The Department of Health said a "safety-first approach" of offering antivirals to everyone remained a sensible and responsible way forward, but promised to keep the policy under review.
A Department of Health spokesman said: "Whilst there is doubt about how swine flu affects children, we believe a safety-first approach of offering antivirals to everyone remains a sensible and responsible way forward.
"However, we will keep this policy under review as we learn more about the virus and its effects.
"The BMJ research is correct to say that many people with swine flu only get mild symptoms, and they may find bed rest and over-the-counter flu remedies work for them.
"But for those who experience severe symptoms, the best scientific advice tells us that Tamiflu should still be taken as soon as possible - and to suggest otherwise is potentially dangerous. If people are in any doubt about whether to take Tamiflu, they should contact their GP."