On Friday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a new long-acting COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapy from AstraZeneca will be available for moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals, such as cancer patients and transplant recipients, at numerous health care provider locations in Florida, upon allocation from the federal government.
“This monoclonal is a new tool for some of our most vulnerable Floridians and we are happy to make this available throughout the state,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Florida has been a leader in advocating for early treatment of COVID-19 and the availability of this new monoclonal is a continuation of the state’s efforts. Florida will continue to use a comprehensive approach to respond to COVID-19 and promote healthy living through Healthier You.”
“According to clinical trials, recipients of this new monoclonal antibody therapy saw a 77 percent reduced risk of developing COVID-19,” said State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo.
AstraZeneca’s Evusheld monoclonal antibodies combo for pre-exposure prophylaxis receives EUA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for AstraZeneca’s Evusheld for the pre-exposure prophylaxis (prevention) of COVID-19 in certain populations 12 years of age and older.
AstraZeneca’s Evusheld is authorized for:
- Individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised or are taking immunosuppressive medications and may not mount an adequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccines.
- Individuals with a history of severe adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines and/or components of the vaccines or its ingredients.
Eligible patients should contact their health care provider if interested. Locations that will administer this monoclonal antibody therapy can be found at www.FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov.
One dose of AstraZeneca’s Evusheld, administered as two separate consecutive intramuscular injections (one injection per monoclonal antibody, given in immediate succession), may be effective for pre-exposure prevention for at least six months.
