Written question WQ85157
- Asked by
- Paul DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Health and Social Services
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 10 days
Question
Will the Minister advise when the new Evusheld vaccine will be available in Wales?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services
Vaccination remains the most effective defence against COVID-19. Evusheld is a neutralising monoclonal antibody authorised for use for the pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in adults who are unlikely to mount an adequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination or for whom COVID-19 vaccination is not recommended.
There remain important questions regarding the efficacy of Evusheld against Omicron variants. Understanding whether Evusheld is effective against the predominant variants in the UK is essential before any next steps are considered.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has been undertaking testing to inform decisions about UK wide procurement of Evusheld. The UKHSA’s findings will be considered by the COVID Therapeutics Clinical Review Panel who will then provide advice to the four UK Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) on the place of Evusheld in the management of COVID-19. Evusheld will be made available in Wales in accordance with any clinical policy agreed by the for UK CMOs.