The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the emergency use of Evusheld - a combination of AstraZeneca's monoclonal antibodies tixagevimab and cilgavimab - for the prevention of Covid-19.
Through a statement, the FDA detailed that this drug is only authorized to non-infected or exposed people who have an immune system that does not allow them to be vaccinated or a history of adverse reactions to
vaccines.
'
Vaccines have proven to be the best defense against
Covid-19, but there are immunosuppressed individuals who may not see an increased immune response given by the
vaccine and who need a prevention alternative,' said Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the Center for Evaluation and FDA Drug Research.
The drug is indicated for adults and pediatric patients over 12 years of age weighing at least 40 kilos.
It is not authorized for the treatment of
Covid-19 after possible exposure to the virus.