New COVID-19 treatment giving peace of mind to immunocompromised patients

HOUSTON — Life is beginning to appear to be it did pre-pandemic for a lot of in Houston.

Nonetheless, that isn’t the case for people who find themselves immune compromised.

Jennifer Pate is a psychiatrist who has been residing with an immune deficiency illness for 30 years.

“I’m nonetheless working from house full-time. I’m nonetheless not going right into a retailer,” Pate stated. “I can’t make my very own antibodies. If I’m uncovered to one thing, I can’t struggle it.”

Regardless of being vaccinated and boosted, her threat of getting severely sick from COVID-19 continues to be excessive. That’s why she was a superb candidate for a brand new therapy known as Evusheld. 

It’s a preventative shot that entails two doses, particularly meant for immunocompromised sufferers like individuals battling most cancers or organ transplant sufferers.

“It gives the precise antibody availability within the blood, whereas the vaccine helps your physique produce antibodies,” stated Alex Varkey, Director Of Pharmacy Companies for Houston Methodist

Jennifer was the primary affected person at Houston Methodist to obtain the injection. Now greater than 450 sufferers have gotten it.

Even with artificial antibodies from Evusheld, she says life won’t ever look completely regular once more. However it has given her peace of thoughts.

“For instance, my mom broke her arm final week and I knew we needed to go to the ER. I assumed, ‘You’re going to be OK going to the ER. You’re going to be okay,’” Pate stated. 

For those who’re immunocompromised, test together with your physician about Evusheld. 

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