CNN interviewed CLL Society’s Dr. Brian Koffman and Robyn Brumble, RN, among others, to gain perspective on the significance of the diminishing susceptibility of the emerging SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern (VOC) to Evusheld. Evusheld is the only Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) available for the immunocompromised, which includes all of those with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL / SLL).
In just a few short weeks, Evusheld has gone from neutralizing over 80% of the circulating VOC to working on less than 30%, and it’s falling fast.
The CNN article links to CLL Society’s weekly COVID-19 update highlighting the need for the vulnerable immunocompromised community to understand and realize that their Evusheld “get out of jail free” card has become much less effective and may not work at all very soon. Now is the time to get back to the basics in terms of infection control and prevention, especially when it comes to the need to mask up with a well-fitting N95 or KN95 and avoid poorly ventilated or crowded indoor spaces. No virus can’t mutate around a high-quality properly fitted mask.
Folks need to know this news and we ask that you share this information within your support groups and on social media. Let’s help to get the word out far and wide to avoid a repeat of the tragedies that occurred earlier in the pandemic when some CLL / SLL patients were insufficiently informed that the vaccine might not protect them, which resulted in preventable fatalities.
While the next few months may be challenging, new therapies for COVID-19 treatment and prevention are coming in the future. In addition, CLL Society is working with several drug development companies and patient collaboratives to advocate for increasing our protection against this virus.
The CNN article is a good read and more of the same is much needed to help raise awareness of the immediate concerns of our vulnerable community.
In the meantime, please be safe.