The electronic platform taking applications for a drug that helps prevent Covid-19 in people who are at a particular risk from the disease opened on Thursday. The drug is for patients with severe immune deficiency and for those who cannot be administered the vaccines against the coronavirus.
According to the Health Ministry, the monoclonal antibody drug developed by AstraZeneca and called Evusheld, has been approved by the European Medicines Agency and is now available in Greece.
The medicine is approved for adults and adolescents from 12 years of age, weighing at least 40 kilograms, who have compromised immune systems and are also at risk from the Covid vaccine.
They also need to be completely clear of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, without having been infected for at least three months.
According to European Medicines Agency (EMA) the EVUSHELD has been approved as prevention against SARS-CoV-2 for people who:
• They do not have the ability to mount an immune response to vaccination against the virus
• They have a contra-indication for vaccination
For specified, additional criteria see here in Greek at healthreport.gr
The drug will only be administered upon request by the patient’s specialist treating physician who, at the time of administration, must have a negative molecular test – 48 hours and a complete absence of symptoms.
In case of previous vaccination, the Evusheld is recommended to be administered after 2 weeks.
The application for the two-injection dose of Evusheld needs to be submitted by the patient’s doctor, along with evidence supporting why he or she needs the medicine instead of a vaccine.
Doses can be administered at hospitals only, the ministry’s circular said.
