With the 世界卫生组织 (WHO) declaring an end to the global public health emergency in May 2023, much of the world has moved on from 新型冠状病毒肺炎. Government and healthcare organisations have reduced their sense of urgency, and much of the general public has embraced a return to pre-pandemic life. 然而, the risks from 新型冠状病毒肺炎 are far from over, especially for those most vulnerable, 比如免疫功能低下.
新型冠状病毒肺炎负担仍然很高
现在被认为是地方病, 新型冠状病毒肺炎 continues to result in serious health consequences globally, 比如住院, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and death.1–3
- Hospitalisation rates remain higher for 新型冠状病毒肺炎 than other seasonal respiratory illnesses, such as flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).4,5
- 世卫组织报告了近10例,000 deaths from 新型冠状病毒肺炎 in December 2023, and there was a 42% increase in hospitalisations and a 62% increase in ICU admissions compared with November 2023.6
- 仅在美国, 2023年结束时约为35,000 weekly hospitalisations and more than 1,500 people per week dying from 新型冠状病毒肺炎.3,7
The immunocompromised shoulder a disproportionate burden
Many 谁 are immunocompromised often have a diminished immune response to 新型冠状病毒肺炎 vaccination, and therefore remain at higher risk for severe 新型冠状病毒肺炎, hospitalisation and death than the general population.8-10
New real-world evidence from large-scale studies in England and the US highlight that despite representing a small percentage of the general population, immunocompromised individuals accounted for a disproportionally large percentage of severe 新型冠状病毒肺炎 outcomes.10,11 这些研究表明:
- 更多的 than a quarter of the 新型冠状病毒肺炎 burden is born by immunocompromised individuals, despite being vaccinated against the virus;10
- 免疫功能低下者, the risk of hospitalisation is disproportionately high for people with people with blood/bone marrow cancers, 终末期肾病, solid 器官移植受者 and those taking immunosuppressive medications for certain conditions, 尽管接种了疫苗;10,11
- The cost of taking steps to protect immunocompromised patients may be lower than the high costs associated with poor 新型冠状病毒肺炎-related outcomes.12,13
Protection is essential for the immunocompromised 谁 remain vulnerable to 新型冠状病毒肺炎
Vaccines require a healthy immune system and help jumpstart the body’s natural ability to produce infection-fighting cells.14 因此, individuals with compromised immune systems, 比如癌症患者, 器官移植受者, or people taking immunosuppressive medicines, may not be as well protected against 新型冠状病毒肺炎, 即使接种了疫苗.10 事实上, more than one in 10 immunocompromised patients do not develop the antibodies needed for protection even after five or more 新型冠状病毒肺炎 vaccinations.15
Scientific advances have made it possible to provide passive immunity with monoclonal antibodies, independent of the recipient’s immune status.16-18 Monoclonal antibodies are generated in a lab to target a specific bacteria or virus.19 The antibodies are administered into the body where they can provide near immediate protection against infection by recognising and binding to the target pathogen.16-18
With the rapid evolution of Omicron variants that reduced or removed authorised therapies for 新型冠状病毒肺炎 prevention, many immunocompromised individuals are left without active or passive protection while potential new therapies are being studied.20,21
Vaccination alone is often not enough to protect immunocompromised individuals from potential devastating consequences of 新型冠状病毒肺炎. We must work together to find solutions so that this vulnerable population can move on from the pandemic.
Reducing the preventable burden of disease
The 世界卫生组织 acknowledges that while 新型冠状病毒肺炎 has become endemic to many areas, the immunocompromised continue to face an ongoing risk from the virus.22 A deeper understanding and recognition of this diverse group to help foster access to tailored, appropriate care and treatment remains an urgent unmet need. 没有有效的, 长期保护, the burden of 新型冠状病毒肺炎 falls on both immunocompromised patients and healthcare systems.12,13 A 2022 study suggests that more than 14,500 hospitalisations in England could have been prevented if a prophylactic intervention with 80% effectiveness had been used alongside vaccination in immunocompromised individuals.10
在澳门葡京网赌游戏, we are committed to following the science to protect the most vulnerable patients, 确保不让任何患者掉队. One area where we see promise is with monoclonal antibodies as passive immunisation for infectious respiratory disease. We believe innovating in this field will help deliver on our ambition to provide long-lasting immunity to millions of people, where the burden of disease is greatest.
