Gromit - No evidence of causality exists between the deaths of 12 youngsters in Japan and Tamiflu after exhaustive examination of the data both in Japan and by the FDA in the USA - All had received Oseltamivir, true, but they all suffered from 'flu as well, and influenza- related neuropathy has been well documented in children.
There has been extensive surveillance of tamiflu - over 50 million doses have been given, and the ADRs are at a level of around 1%, ranging in severity from the most minor of reactions through to the more severe.
The calculation must be the effectiveness Oseltamivir in inhibiting the spread of a virus and its small treatment effect in infection vs the pathogenicity of the virus itself.
Remember that tamiflu was bought as a first line of defence against any pandemic influenza virus, most particularly the Avian Flu Virus which has demonstrated a frightening pathogenicity. In that context, the Government were unequivocally right in buying Oseltamivir stocks and should be commended for their planning.
After the initial panic over H1N1 ( remember the initial results in Mexico, which showed a more infectious virus than avian flu, but seemingly just as deadly), and our own early experience of its spread, It was perhaps understandable that tamiflu was made so widely and easily available - That decision might be questioned in light of what we now know about the low pathogenicity - but just imagine the level of hysteria had we not had the antivirals available.
Personally, I think that since H1N1 in this incarnation has demonstrated very mild clinical effects, Tamiflu probably shouldn't be prescribed to 12s and under.
I don't understand objections to a vaccine though... I will definitely be in the queue when it is available. H1N1 vaccine is as well tested as the seasonal flu vaccines that are administered every year.