![Health Canada greenlights AstraZeneca COVID-19 drug to prevent infection](https://cdn.cheknews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/14112250/5dbf2689a3913c1ebf5f6d32c2fa3a76f5fcf726482a4f68f7a5a5b2b6cba315-1024x682.jpg)
OTTAWA – Health Canada has approved AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 antibody combination to prevent symptomatic infection for immunocompromised people.
The drug, named Evusheld, is intended for people who cannot receive a typical vaccine or for whom vaccines alone won’t provide enough immunity.
AstraZeneca says the drug is not a substitute for vaccination against COVID-19 for most people.
The antibodies are delivered as two separate injections, prior to COVID-19 exposure.
Drug trial data released in November showed an 83 per cent reduction in the risk of developing symptomatic COVID-19, compared to a placebo.
Canada has already signed an agreement with AstraZeneca to receive 100,000 doses this year.