Abstract
Background In Australia, Evusheld – (tixagevimab150mg and cilgavimab150mg) is currently the only pre-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19 infection Persons with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) who are treated with anti-CD20 antibodies and sphingosine 1- phosphate receptor modulators have an impaired vaccine-induced immune response, resulting in an increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection. The uptake and efficacy of Evusheld in real-world MS populations is not known and forms the basis of this study.
Objective To analyse the uptake, compliance, and real-world efficacy of Evusheld in prevention and severity of COVID 19 infections.
Methods This study was approved by Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) and was conducted in a tertiary MS centre. We retrospectively analysed electronic medical records (EMR) and MSBase registry of pwMS with documented prior patient driven consultation to discuss Evusheld. Follow up phone call to confirm administration and any COVID 19 infection was undertaken by two nursing staff.
Results Of the eligible pwMS in our service only 52.7% requested a formal consultation to discuss Evusheld. A total of 233 pwMS were included in the study. Evusheld consultation resulted in 71.67% Evusheld administration. 94.1% of pwMS who received Evusheld had already has three or more COVID 19 vaccines. 19.16% of those who had received a single dose of Evusheld later tested positive for COVID 19 during the 26 weeks observation period. The majority of these individual (68.8%) were on Ocrelizumab. Nil required hospitalisation. Administration site setting was more favourable at opportunistic infusion centre.
