CDC/FDA - EvuSheld no longer works as a prophylaxis – 61% of circulating variants now XBB.1.5 and 22% BQ.1.1 – what use are C19 mRNA injections targeting BA.4 and BA.5?

From here:

Information for Persons Who Are Immunocompromised Regarding Prevention and Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the Context of Currently Circulating Omicron Sublineages — United States, January 2023 | MMWR (cdc.gov)

“As of January 20, 2023, >90% of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants in the United States, specifically Omicron BQ.1, BQ.1.1, XBB, and XBB.1.5 sublineages, are unlikely to be susceptible to the combined monoclonal antibodies, tixagevimab and cilgavimab (Evusheld) used for preexposure prophylaxis against SARS-CoV-2 infection (1).

The Food and Drug Administration announced on January 26, 2023, that Evusheld is not currently authorized for preexposure prophylaxis against SARS-CoV-2 infection in the United States (2).”

The story is covered by CNBC here:

Covid: CDC urges immunocompromised to take precautions after Evusheld pulled (cnbc.com)

“The FDA pulled Evusheld because it is not effective against 95% of the omicron subvariants circulating in the U.S. This includes the XBB subvariants which are now causing 64% of new cases, as well as the BQ family that is responsible for 31% of reported infections.”

Here is an image of the latest variants estimated to be circulating in the US from the CDC

With a tabulation of the current estimated prevalence of each variant here:

Onwards!

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