Government "Promoting Introduction of COVID-19 Preventive Treatment Evusheld... Emergency Use Authorization Planned Within This Month"

"Treatment for Patients with Blood Cancer, Organ Transplants, and Others Who Have Difficulty Forming Antibodies Through Vaccines"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] The government plans to introduce Evusheld, an antibody treatment for COVID-19 prevention, into South Korea.

Lee Ki-il, the 1st Chief Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (and 2nd Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), held a Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting at the Government Complex Sejong on the morning of the 8th and stated, "With the supplementary budget finalized on the 29th of last month, we will promote the supply of Evusheld domestically," adding, "We aim to complete the emergency use authorization process by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety within June and enable rapid administration as soon as possible."

Lee further explained, "Evusheld is a protective measure for those who have difficulty forming antibodies through COVID-19 vaccination," and "It is a preventive antibody treatment for people such as blood cancer patients or organ transplant recipients who are on immunosuppressants and thus have difficulty forming antibodies through vaccines."

Evusheld (active ingredients tixagevimab and cilgavimab), developed by AstraZeneca (AZ), is an antibody preparation intended for prevention by directly administering antibodies into the body via injection. The monoclonal antibodies tixagevimab and cilgavimab are each contained in separate ampoules and packaged, then administered sequentially via intramuscular (IM) injection. It is known to provide disease prevention effects within four hours after administration.

Lee also announced that the overseas entry management system will be eased starting today. Accordingly, all overseas arrivals will be exempt from quarantine regardless of vaccination status or nationality. Flight restrictions at Incheon International Airport will also be lifted. The hourly arrival flight limit will be restored from the previous 20 flights to the pre-COVID-19 level of 40 flights, and the flight ban hours from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day will be lifted.

To manage the influx of new variants, pre- and post-entry testing will be maintained. Overseas arrivals must submit a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result conducted within 48 hours before entry or a rapid antigen test result conducted within 24 hours. After entry, a PCR test must be taken within three days.

Lee emphasized the risk of COVID-19 resurgence amid the recovery of daily life. He urged, "There are still various risks of resurgence such as local summer festivals, vacations, and indoor air conditioner use in enclosed environments," and requested, "Please do not let your guard down even in the new normal."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.