Experts warn that time is running out to protect thousands of Brits from Covid this winter.
Nearly four million people were warned to stay safe during the pandemic.
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Patients with cancer or immunocompromised were not able to leave their home or receive visitors.
Many continued this trend when most Brits were free to do as they pleased.
Campaigners called for the government’s purchase of a ‘life-changing drug’ to improve the quality and life of this group in winter.
As we get closer to winter, 120 experts and charities such as Kidney Care UK or the MS Society said that time is running out.
Recent cases of Covid have been on the rise and Brits are being urged by medics to avoid elderly relatives who feel unwell.
Evusheld provides protection for the most vulnerable against the virus.
It was manufactured by AstraZeneca, and approved by the medicines regulator on March 3.
It’s now available in over 30 countries.
Despite its widespread usage, the UK government has stated it won’t purchase more doses until it has better data.
It is feared that it might not work well against the Omicron variant currently in circulation in the UK.
Omicron has been shown to be milder in many studies than other strains. This is why so many people have immunity from vaccines.
However, many of those in the vulnerable group could not have jabs which made them even more isolated.
Prof Alex Richter, an expert in immunology at University of Birmingham, spoke to the BBCIt is not a good idea to buy the drug if you don’t feel like it.
“But the glass half-full approach is, it has some activity and it has some benefit. And so for very many patients, actually isn’t it better to do something for them rather than nothing,”He stated.
The Department of Health stated that it is urgently investigating the possibility of a clinical trial.
Although there is no time limit for these trials, they can sometimes take as long as 15 years to finish.
However, it is hoped they will be completed with the same urgency that the vaccines.
Dr Stephen Griffin, associate professor in the school of medicine at the University of Leeds, told The Times that “the decision not to procure this medicine, which could be life changing for so many vulnerable people, is a profound mistake”.
Evusheld for UK campaigners warned that the inability to obtain the drug could cause severe mental health problems for those who are shielded.