The new crown pneumonia epidemic is severe, but some immunocompromised people have not been able to produce enough antibodies even if they have been vaccinated against the new crown pneumonia.
The HA has earlier introduced a long-acting antibody combination (LAAB) for centralized supply to the relevant people, but Lam Wai-sun, a specialist in infection and infectious diseases, believes that the dose currently purchased by the HA is not sufficient to cover extremely high-risk patients. With the high number of confirmed cases, this group of people will face a greater risk of infection.
The HA replied that the HA is continuing to procure long-acting antibody combinations for patients to use, and will gradually arrange to assess whether the patients are suitable for the use of the relevant preventive drugs.
It is understood that the Hospital Authority will provide 3,000 doses of long-acting antibody combinations in late October, and other solid organ transplants, malignant tumors and kidney dialysis patients will also have the opportunity to be vaccinated.
Lin Weixun said that the long-acting antibody combination can only provide protection for 6 to 12 months, so people who are immunocompromised should still be vaccinated before receiving the long-acting antibody combination.
(Photo by Lu Yingshan)
The HA had previously purchased 190 doses of a long-acting antibody combination to inject for immunocompromised people to boost their antibodies against the virus.
The relevant long-acting antibody combination is AstraZeneca’s antibody drug. According to the drug’s Phase III clinical report, people who receive the long-acting antibody combination treatment can reduce the risk of infection by 77% within three months, and three to seven days after infection. The chance of developing symptoms in the hospital also dropped by 50% to 88%.
The drug has also been shown to be effective against Omicron variant strains, including BA.5 and BA.2 variants in South Africa.
Long-acting antibody combinations cannot replace vaccines
Although long-acting antibody combinations can prevent infection, severe illness and death, Lin Weixun emphasized that this cannot replace vaccines.
He described that the new crown vaccine is like a "life buoy", which will activate the T cells and B cells in the body to remember the virus, so even if you are infected in the future, you can prevent severe illness.
However, even if there is a "life buoy" for people with insufficient immunity, there is still a high chance of becoming severely ill after infection. Therefore, a long-acting antibody combination like a "lifeboat" is needed, "it will make it difficult for you to fall into the water." The combination of effective antibodies can only provide protection for 6 to 12 months, so people with immunocompromised should still be vaccinated before receiving the combination of long-acting antibodies.
▼September 1st, the first day of vaccination services provided by private clinics in Causeway Bay▼
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Lin Weixun took a 76-year-old man with lymphoma who was immunocompromised due to treatment with standard palladium as an example. He was diagnosed in early March and had received a dose of vaccine before his diagnosis, but his condition deteriorated after admission. After receiving a variety of antiviral drugs, he eventually died in April. "The patient did not have any antibodies in his body before he died." He believes that if the patient can be vaccinated with a long-acting antibody combination before the diagnosis, there is a good chance that he will not die. .
Insufficient dose introduced by HA to cover very high risk patients
He estimates that there are currently 80,000 to 100,000 immunocompromised people in Hong Kong, of which about 10,000 may not respond well to vaccines, and some may not even produce antibodies.
Relevant persons are mainly those who have received stem cell transplantation, kidney transplantation and cardiothoracic transplantation, as well as those with lymphoma, blood cancer, and those who are receiving immune drugs, those who are receiving dialysis treatment, renal failure, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus, etc. Vaccine responses were also poor.
Although the HA has introduced 190 doses of the long-acting antibody combination earlier, Lin Weixun believes that it is not enough to cover extremely high-risk patients. In addition to the high number of confirmed cases, he is worried that this group of people will meet under the high number of confirmed cases. For greater risks, the bureau is urged to purchase related medicines as soon as possible.
At present, there are 80,000 to 100,000 immunocompromised people in Hong Kong, of which about 10,000 may not respond well to vaccines, and some may not even produce antibodies.
(File photo of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong)
Japanese study: Antibody drug has significant effect as treatment
In addition, a recent study in Japan showed that receiving AstraZeneca's antibody drug three days after the onset of symptoms can reduce serious or death cases by 88% compared with placebo, and if receiving the antibody drug seven days after the onset of symptoms, serious or death cases Cases can also be reduced by 50%.
Lam Wai-sun believes that the HA may consider using a combination of long-acting antibodies and oral drugs as early treatment in the future, but there is no urgent discussion about adding new drugs. It is to let the confirmed patients understand the benefits of taking the new crown antiviral oral drug.
A recent study in Japan found that taking AstraZeneca's antibody drug seven days after the onset of symptoms can reduce serious or fatal cases by 50% compared to using a placebo.
(provided by respondents)
HA: Continue to procure long-acting antibody combinations
The HA replied that about 190 patients had been injected with the drug in public hospitals.
The HA is continuing to procure long-acting antibody combinations for patients to use, and will gradually arrange to assess whether the patients are suitable for the use of the relevant preventive drugs.
Experts will continue to monitor the efficacy of the drug.
It is understood that the Hospital Authority will provide 3,000 doses of the long-acting antibody combination in late October, which will be expanded to other solid organ transplants, malignant tumors and kidney dialysis patients.
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