Last updated: December 17, 2021
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized Evusheld (tixagevimab co-packaged with cilgavimab) as a medication to prevent COVID-19 in some individuals age of 12 years and older. This prevention medication is strictly for those who are not expected to have adequate immune responses to the vaccine or who have a severe allergy to the vaccine.As COVID-19 variants continue to emerge, it is not yet known how effective Evusheld will be against each variant. Vaccines have proven to be the best defense available against the COVID-19 complications of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including all its variants. Evusheld is not a substitute for vaccination in individuals for whom vaccination is recommended.Studies of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine responses in people living with MS have shown a reduced or absent antibody response among those who use certain disease modifying therapies (DMTs).People with MS using the following DMTs may benefit from Evusheld:
- sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulators (Gilenya, Mayzent, Zeposia, Ponvory),
- alemtuzumab (Lemtrada) treatment within the past 24 months and
- anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (Ocrevus, Kesimpta, Rituxan and biosimilars)
Evusheld is not available for everyone. Like other medical decisions, the decision to take Evusheld is best made in partnership with your healthcare provider. Talk to your MS healthcare provider to determine if Evusheld is right for you. Learn more about Evusheld and read about the treatment in our blog. Find Evusheld treatment near you.
The source of this article is from The National MS Society
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