Health Canada has approved AstraZeneca’s antibody combination to prevent symptomatic COVID-19 infection in immunocompromised people.
The drug, named Evusheld, is intended for people who cannot receive a typical vaccine or for whom vaccines alone won’t provide enough immunity.
The drug was not approved as a substitute for vaccination against COVID-19 for most people.
“Both the Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada continue to strongly recommend up-to-date vaccination for all eligible Canadians,” Health Canada said in a news release Thursday.
While a vaccine effectively teaches the body to make its own antibodies over a short period of time, AstraZeneca’s product delivers ready-made antibodies to immediately start fighting off the virus.
The antibodies are delivered as two separate injections, before exposure to COVID-19.
Get weekly health news
Drug trial data released in November showed an 83 per cent reduction in the risk of developing symptomatic COVID-19, compared to a placebo after about six months.
“For vulnerable populations, such as those who are immune-compromised, Evusheld helps to address an unmet need in the ongoing fight against COVID-19,” said Kiersten Combs, president of AstraZeneca Canada.
Canada has already signed an agreement with AstraZeneca to receive 100,000 doses this year.
- Ottawa seeking proposals from groups committed to cleaning up ‘ghost gear’ in water
- Ford government making new rules to deal with illegal farmland trucking operations
- Historical society secures rural New Brunswick burial site to preserve history
- Carney is starting talks on a lower carbon price in B.C. premier meeting
Health Canada has placed conditions on the drug’s approval, including a requirement for AstraZeneca to continuously provide updated information on the safety and efficacy of the antibody combination.
The agency said lab studies show Evusheld is expected to neutralize BA.2, a sublineage of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, which is running rampant in communities across Canada.
The company says health professionals should consider offering a larger dose of the antibodies in areas where Omicron is circulating.
AstraZeneca has been studying the combination as a potential treatment for COVID-19 as well, though the drug has not been approved for that use.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.