With the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring an end to the global public health emergency in May 2023, 世界大部分地区已经摆脱了COVID-19. 政府和医疗机构已经降低了紧迫感, 大多数公众已经接受了大流行前生活的回归. However, COVID-19的风险远未结束, 尤其是对那些最脆弱的人, such as the immunocompromised.
COVID-19 burden remains high
Now considered an endemic disease, COVID-19继续在全球造成严重的健康后果, such as hospitalisation, 重症监护病房(ICU)入院和死亡.1–3
- COVID-19的住院率仍然高于其他季节性呼吸道疾病, 例如流感和呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV).4,5
- WHO reported nearly 10,2023年12月死于COVID-19的人数将达到1000人, and there was a 42% increase in hospitalisations and a 62% increase in ICU admissions compared with November 2023.6
- In the US alone, 2023 ended with about 35,每周有000人住院，超过1,每周有500人死于COVID-19.3,7
免疫功能低下者承担着不成比例的负担
Many who are immunocompromised often have a diminished immune response to COVID-19 vaccination, 因此，他们罹患严重COVID-19的风险仍然较高, 住院率和死亡率高于一般人群.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 COVID-19 outcomes.10,11 These studies showed that:
- 超过四分之一的COVID-19负担是由免疫功能低下的个体产生的, 尽管接种了病毒疫苗;10
- Among the immunocompromised, the risk of hospitalisation is disproportionately high for people with people with blood/bone marrow cancers, end-stage kidney disease, solid organ transplant recipients and those taking immunosuppressive medications for certain conditions, despite being vaccinated;10,11
- The cost of taking steps to protect immunocompromised patients may be lower than the high costs associated with poor COVID-19-related outcomes.12,13
保护对于免疫功能低下者至关重要，他们仍然容易感染COVID-19
Vaccines require a healthy immune system and help jumpstart the body’s natural ability to produce infection-fighting cells.14 Thus, 免疫系统受损的个体, such as people with cancer, organ transplant recipients, 或者服用免疫抑制药物的人, 可能无法很好地预防COVID-19, even when vaccinated.10 In fact, more than one in 10 immunocompromised patients do not develop the antibodies needed for protection 即使接种了五次或更多的COVID-19疫苗.15
Scientific advances have made it possible to provide passive immunity with monoclonal antibodies, 与接受者的免疫状态无关.16-18 单克隆抗体是在实验室中产生的针对特定细菌或病毒的抗体.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 COVID-19 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 COVID-19. We must work together to find solutions so that this vulnerable population can move on from the pandemic.
减少可预防的疾病负担
The World Health Organization acknowledges that while COVID-19 has become endemic to many areas, 免疫功能低下者继续面临来自该病毒的持续风险.22 A deeper understanding and recognition of this diverse group to help foster access to tailored, 适当的护理和治疗仍然是一项尚未得到满足的迫切需要. Without effective, long-term protection, COVID-19的负担落在免疫功能低下的患者和卫生保健系统身上.12,13 2022年的一项研究表明，超过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
At AstraZeneca, 澳门第一赌城在线娱乐致力于遵循科学来保护最脆弱的患者, ensuring no patient is left behind. 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, 哪里的疾病负担最重.
