France approves antibody therapy for high-risk Covid cases
French health authorities have approved the use of an antibody treatment made by AstraZeneca for high-risk people who show resistance to vaccines against coronavirus.
On Friday night, independent public health body HAS (Haute Autorité de santé) announced "a greenlight for the preventive use of Evusheld... for patients with a very high-risk of contracting a severe form of Covid-19".
Evusheld, developed by the British-Swedish pharma company, this week received emergency-use authorisation in the United States for adults and children aged 12 and above.
The French approval is for adults only.
Evusheld, which is made from a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, is administered in two injections.
Monoclonal antibodies -- which recognise a specific molecule of the target virus or bacteria -- are synthetic versions of natural antibodies.
Unlike most other Covid treatments, which are given to already hospitalised patients to prevent serious illness, Evusheld is for people who have yet to be infected but may not mount an adequate immune response.
HAS warned of cardiovascular risks identified during clinical trials and recommended the drug not be given to cases with two or more risk factors such as diabetes and obesity.
On Saturday, 53,720 positive Covid-19 cases were identified in the previous 24 hours, compared with 51,624 the previous Saturday, according to the French public health authority.
READ MORE:
- French pharmacies to stay open on Sundays for Covid-19 vaccinations
- EXPLAINED: What is the emergency 'Plan Blanc' being launched in French hospitals?
- Covid-19 booster jab patients in France are being offered unwanted Moderna vaccines
Comments
See Also
On Friday night, independent public health body HAS (Haute Autorité de santé) announced "a greenlight for the preventive use of Evusheld... for patients with a very high-risk of contracting a severe form of Covid-19".
Evusheld, developed by the British-Swedish pharma company, this week received emergency-use authorisation in the United States for adults and children aged 12 and above.
The French approval is for adults only.
Evusheld, which is made from a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, is administered in two injections.
Monoclonal antibodies -- which recognise a specific molecule of the target virus or bacteria -- are synthetic versions of natural antibodies.
Unlike most other Covid treatments, which are given to already hospitalised patients to prevent serious illness, Evusheld is for people who have yet to be infected but may not mount an adequate immune response.
HAS warned of cardiovascular risks identified during clinical trials and recommended the drug not be given to cases with two or more risk factors such as diabetes and obesity.
On Saturday, 53,720 positive Covid-19 cases were identified in the previous 24 hours, compared with 51,624 the previous Saturday, according to the French public health authority.
READ MORE:
- French pharmacies to stay open on Sundays for Covid-19 vaccinations
- EXPLAINED: What is the emergency 'Plan Blanc' being launched in French hospitals?
- Covid-19 booster jab patients in France are being offered unwanted Moderna vaccines
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.