COVID-19: preventive treatment for people with little receptive vaccines in France

This antibody treatment aims to act before the appearance of the disease. It must supplement vaccination in people whose body reacts little to vaccines.

Le Monde with AFP

The French health authorities have authorized the preventive use of antibody treatment against CIVID-19, in persons whose body resists vaccination, provided they present a high risk of serious form. The High Authority (HAS) “gives its green light to use [of] Pre-exposure prophylaxis Evusheld for patients at very high risk of severe COVID-19”, announced Friday, December 11th to the evening The health authority.

Evusheld is a synthetic antibody treatment developed by the AstraZeneca laboratory. It combines two molecules, Tixagévimab and Cilgavimab, and gives itself in two successive injections. Unlike most antibody CVIV-19 treatments, which are intended for patients already hospitalized to prevent them from developing a very serious form of the disease, Evusheld aims to act before the appearance of the disease, on The same principle as a vaccine.

This treatment should accurately supplement vaccination in people whose body reacts little to vaccines. It also addresses those who are not eligible for vaccination for medical reasons, particularly because they risk large allergic reactions.

Cardiovascular risks

Among these people, only those who run a high risk of the serious form of COVID-19 will be able to benefit from the treatment, according to the HAS, which gives its position a few days after the American health authorities have issued a similar opinion. However, unlike the latter, which allowed it to persons aged 12 and over, the French authority limits the use of this treatment to the major people.
Especially, it warns on cardiovascular risks, identified during the clinical trials of treatment. It does not therefore recommend Evusheld to people who have at least two risk factors in this regard, for example a diabetes and obesity. But these risk factors often cover those of a serious form of Covid-19.

In any case, “patients treated, especially those with cardiovascular history, must be attentive to the appearance of a cardiovascular symptom to consult a health professional if any”, concludes the has.

/Media reports.