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22nd Aug 12:31 AM AEST
COVID-19: Australia's regulatory authority TGA gives nod to emergency use of Sotrovimab
Image Source: © BiancoBlue | Megapixl.com
In a significant development, therapeutic regulatory authority, The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), today granted provisional consent for the use of monoclonal antibody drug Sotrovimab to treat serious COVID-19 patients in Australia. With this, those countrymen at risk of hospitalisation due to COVID-19 will now have access to additional antibody treatment.
A single dose of monoclonal antibody Sotrovimab has proven to reduce hospitalisation or death by 79 per cent in adults with mild to moderate COVID-19, who are at risk of developing severe COVID-19. Sotrovimab is supplied in a single dose via an intravenous (IV) infusion in a health care facility.
A few days back, the Federal Government successfully secured an initial allocation of more than 7,700 doses of the antibody treatment drug Sotrovimab. The antibody treatment drug has already reached the country and is ready to be deployed via the National Medical Stockpile from the upcoming week.
Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt has claimed that Sotrovimab will provide a crucial new method to treat the novel Coronavirus and reduce hospitalisations for people who are more vulnerable to the risks of COVID-19 complications.
There are higher chances that Sotrovimab will be used to treat patients who are more than 55 years of age and have comorbidities, such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, heart problem, lung cancer disease, and moderate to severe asthma. The asymptomatic patients or those not at risk of developing severe COVID-19 complications will not be given Sotrovimab.
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22nd Aug 12:31 AM AEST
More than 50% of Australians aged over 16 receive first jab of COVID-19 vaccine
Image Source: © Geargodz | Megapixl.com
In a breakthrough, more than half of the Australians aged over 16 have received the first jab of the Coronavirus vaccine. Oflate, the government has bolstered its efforts to increase inoculation drive across the Country.
On Thursday, Australia reported the highest single-day spike in coronavirus cases.
On Friday, New South Wales registered 681 cases, while Victoria reported 57 cases in Melbourne. Noticeably, New South Wales and Melbourne are the two most populous states in the Country.
On Saturday, NSW reported four fatalities and 642 fresh-locally acquired COVID-19 cases. With the fresh surge in Coronavirus cases, NSW is bracing for a tough battle ahead. Lockdown has further been extended in Western Sydney till 30 September. Meanwhile, Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant have vehemently rejected curfews' efficacy as a public health measure amidst the outbreak.
The latest vaccination data has revealed that more than 50% of Australia's population aged 16 and older have received at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Reportedly, 28.2% of people are fully vaccinated in the Country.
The Country reached a new milestone after a record high of 309,010 vaccine doses were administered on Wednesday. As of 19 August 2021, overall, 16 million doses of the COVID – 19 vaccine have been administered countrywide. In addition, the Australian Government has announced plans for all people in the age group 16-39 years to be eligible for a vaccine by 30 August 2021.