The UK government have announced that they do not plan to purchase any of the Covid-19 drug Evusheld.
The government have cited ‘insufficient data’ on the duration of protection provided by the drug against the Omnicom variant, as the reason behind their decision.
Evusheld, which was developed by AstraZeneca, was approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) for use in adults who are immunosuppressed in March 2022. It is a combination of two long-acting antibodies that works by binding to the spike protein on the outside of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes Covid-19. This in turn prevents the virus from attaching to and entering human cells.
The approval of the vaccine in March, was welcomed by many who are immunocompromised, as it offers a valid alternative to existing vaccines which may be ineffective or unsuited for people with multiple sclerosis.
The MS Trust is disappointed by the government’s recent announcement. It is a major setback to clinically vulnerable people who are left still shielding more than two years after the pandemic began.
The MS Trust will continue to advocate for the distribution of Evusheld, for those people living with MS who are immunocompromised.
