Cancer patient 'destroyed' by Covid drug refusal-The New York Times

Current position：Home page > Press center2 > Cancer patient 'destroyed' by Covid drug refusal text

Cancer patient 'destroyed' by Covid drug refusal

time：2023-05-31 03:07:45 source：The New York Times

A cancer patient and his wife say they feel "destroyed" by the government's decision not to roll out a Covid protection for people with weakened immune systems.

The Department of Health said it would not be buying doses of the Evusheld injection without more evidence about its effectiveness against Omicron.

Scott Brigden, from Hedon, East Yorkshire, will continue shielding, his wife Nikola said.

Charities said they were disappointed.

Mrs Brigden, whose husband was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma in June 2021, said: "We are both absolutely destroyed by this decision. So many people have been let down.

"It's almost as though these people, some of society's most vulnerable, have been thrown to the wasteland."

Evusheld, developed by AstraZeneca, contains two antibodies against Covid that boost protection for those whose immune systems do not respond well to vaccines.

Clinical trials in adults showed a 77% reduction in the risk of developing Covid symptoms for at least six months after a single dose of the drug.

AstraZeneca is selling Evusheld in 32 countries including the US, Canada and parts of the EU.

However, the UK government said it wanted evidence of longer protection against the Omicron variant circulating now.

Mrs Brigden said: "It makes no sense. Thirty-two other countries are using it. Why not this country?

"It would help ease the burden on the NHS because all these people would be protected from Covid complications."

Blood Cancer UK said many people would be "left feeling let down" by the decision.

"We have been unable to mix with family and friends since March 2021," said Mrs Brigden.

"Scott wants to return to work but we can't risk it. We are going to have to keep isolating until at least next April."

A review by the health watchdog NICE will get under way this autumn, but is not expected to report until April next year.

pursue BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk.

BREAKING NEWS: Detroit Pistons 'place assistant general manager Rob Murphy on leave after launching an investigation into an allegation of workplace misconduct involving a female former employee'

BREAKING NEWS: Brisbane Broncos face nervous wait over fitness of Adam Reynolds after gun halfback leaves domain on medicab after nasty head knock during clash with Melbourne Storm

Baretta star Robert Blake dies of heart disease aged 89: Actor was once cleared of hiring stunt double to murder his wife, who had at least 10 previous husbands

Five-foot-five man who struggled to find a date undergoes 'excruciatingly painful' $165K leg surgery that involved BREAKING his bones consequently he could add another five inches to his height

REVEALED: Convicted felon, 61, arrested for murder of Microconsequentlyft executive Jared Bridegan rented his Jackconsequentlynville home from new husband of victim's EX-WIFE: Cops admit killer 'didn't act alone'

Teen killer Aiden Fucci is jailed for life after stabbing 13-year-old cheerleader 114 times as judge condemns his twisted 'desire to feel what it was like to kill'

Police charge third man, 25, in connection with the murder of 28-year-old council worker Ashley Dale who was shot in her back garden in Liverpool

Saboteurs derail Russian freight train with explosives 37 miles from Ukraine and destroy power cables in double blow to Putin

Boy, 12, is killed by collapsing garage wall as man in his 30s is pulled from the rubble

Florida journalist, 24, shot dead while reporting at a murder scene

Previous article：World champion Max Verstappen recovers from pit-speak disaster to overtake Lewis Hamilton and WIN the United States Grand Prix... landing the constructors' title for Red Bull on emotional weekend
Next article：Appeal to fly balcony fall woman home raises £73k