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REGEN-COV monoclonal antibody as post-exposure prophylaxis for Covid-19: Who is eligible for the shot?

In a recent study, REGEN-COV monoclonal antibody proved efficacious in preventing Covid-19 among household contacts of SARS-CoV-2 infected persons: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorised it for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) among people who are at high risk for Covid-19.

According to the FDA, adults and people aged twelve years or older weighing 40 kg or more may be eligible for REGEN-COV for PEP under the following conditions.

They are at high risk of progression to severe Covid-19, including hospitalisation or death.
Such people are neither fully vaccinated nor expected to mount an adequate immune response. It may be due to an immunocompromising disease or immunosuppressive therapy.

The individuals must demonstrate exposure to a SARS-CoV-2 infected person according to the set standards: or they are at high-risk exposure to such persons within an institution.

A person is fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose vaccine or two weeks after a single dose vaccine.

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A set exposure standard is a close contact that occurs if a person has been within six feet of an infected individual for a cumulative total of fifteen minutes or more over 24 hours.
It is prudent that only eligible individuals should receive the drug. It is also imperative to note that REGEN-COV monoclonal antibody is not a substitute for vaccines. We encourage all people to receive their jabs as soon as possible.

For more information about the emergency use authorisation of REGEN-COV monoclonal antibody, read the FDA statement here.

IAmDrSsekandi

MBChB (MUK), Graduate Fellow, Department of Physiology, Makerere University Founder and Content Creator Peer reviewer, Associate Editor

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