Preventive treatment against COVID-19 (Evusheld^TM)

Evusheld^TM is a medication available free of charge to prevent COVID-19 in certain individuals at high risk for complications.

This medication is not a vaccine replacement, but can provide additional protection, especially for people who are severely immunocompromised.

This treatment is not intended for people who have contracted COVID-19.

Evusheld^TM is a preventive treatment designed for people at high risk for complications if they were to contract COVID-19. It can be offered to:

• People aged 18 years and older who are severely immunocompromised, regardless of their vaccine status, if at least 14 days after their last dose of COVID-19 vaccine, if applicable

  People considered to be severely immunocompromised include those in one of the following situations (medical treatments or conditions):

  • solid organ transplant treated with immunosuppressive medications
  • anti-B cell therapy (monoclonal antibodies, such as Ocrevus^TM, Rituxan^TM, Kesimpta^TM, Lemtrada^TM, Gazyva^TM, Blincyto^TM, Darzalex^TM, Simulect^TM, Adcetris^TM, Benlysta^TM, anti-thymocyte globulins)
  • chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T) or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation until complete immune reconstitution
  • primary immunodeficiency treated with non-specific human immunoglobulin replacement therapy administered either intravenously (IVIG) or subcutaneously (SCIG) (e.g., common variable immune deficiency, combined immune deficiency). For other immune deficiencies, refer to the treating immunologist.
  • active treatment for a solid tumour or a blood cancer
  • infected with untreated stage 3 or advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or person with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
  • taking an alkylating agent for the treatment of a rheumatic disease (e.g., cyclophosphamide),
  • treatment with a high dose of corticosteroid (that is, at least 20 mg/day of prednisone, or equivalent) for at least 3 weeks.

• People aged 18 years and older who have a medical condition associated with a higher risk for COVID-19 complications and who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated owing to a medical contraindication (e.g., allergy and failure of desensitization or medically contraindicated desensitization, history of myocarditis associated with the mRNA vaccine).

  People considered to have a medical condition associated with a higher risk for COVID-19 complications fall into one of the following categories:

  • 60 years of age and older
    or
  • 18 years of age and older with at least one of the following medical conditions:
    • hemoglobinopathy
    • chronic kidney disease
    • liver failure
    • obesity (increased risk with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35)
    • diabetes
    • confirmed high blood pressure
    • cardiovascular and atherosclerotic disease
    • heart failure, NYHA Class II to IV
    • chronic respiratory disease (e.g., COPD, moderate to severe asthma)

• Pregnant women who are severely immunocompromised or who have at least one of the above-mentioned medical conditions associated with a higher risk for COVID-19 complications, after discussion with an experienced health professional;

• Adolescents weighing 40 kg (88 lb) or more who are severely immunocompromised or who have at least one of the above-mentioned medical conditions associated with a higher risk for COVID-19 complications, after discussion with an experienced health professional.

This medication must be prescribed by a physician, a pharmacist or a specialized nurse practitioner. If you believe that you qualify for Evusheld^TM preventive treatment, based on the criteria listed above, contact one of these health professionals who will determine whether this product is appropriate for you and, if so, will give it to you.

Evusheld^TM is a medication that must be given by intramuscular injection by an authorized health professional.