On BA.4.6
The number of cases caused by another Omicron subvariant called BA.4.6–which is capable of evading immunity from vaccination and previous infection—is steadily rising. It currently accounts for 13 percent of the sequenced samples.
The growing number of BA.4.6 cases led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to issue a warning indicating that Evusheld—the only monoclonal antibody authorized for COVID-19 prevention in immunocompromised individuals and people who can’t take the COVID-19 vaccine—may be completely ineffective against subvariants like BA.4.6.
The agency has directed healthcare providers to inform patients using Evusheld about the risks of COVID-19 infection as the BA.4.6 subvariant circulates. The advice is to get tested if symptoms develop and seek medical attention immediately if the COVID-19 test is positive.
The number of cases caused by another Omicron subvariant called BA.4.6–which is capable of evading immunity from vaccination and previous infection—is steadily rising. It currently accounts for 13 percent of the sequenced samples.
The growing number of BA.4.6 cases led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to issue a warning indicating that Evusheld—the only monoclonal antibody authorized for COVID-19 prevention in immunocompromised individuals and people who can’t take the COVID-19 vaccine—may be completely ineffective against subvariants like BA.4.6.
The agency has directed healthcare providers to inform patients using Evusheld about the risks of COVID-19 infection as the BA.4.6 subvariant circulates. The advice is to get tested if symptoms develop and seek medical attention immediately if the COVID-19 test is positive.