What is Evusheld? People in Massachusetts can get at-home injection to help prevent COVID

An injection that helps prevent COVID in people whose bodies have trouble making antibodies is now being given to Bay Staters in the convenience of their homes.

Treatments like Evusheld, which helps prevent COVID for those who are immunocompromised, can be administered at home in Massachusetts, according to the state Department of Public Health.

Evusheld is a combination monoclonal antibody injection therapy that provides added protection against COVID prior to virus exposure for individuals who have moderate- to severe-immune compromise.

CDR Health, the state vendor that provides in-home COVID vaccinations, has expanded its services to include this therapy, DPH said.

“Evusheld is used before someone gets COVID-19 and is a preventive treatment,” DPH’s website reads. “Evusheld consists of 2 injections that are delivered at the same visit. Evusheld is not for the treatment of COVID-19 symptoms. It is not given to someone after they have been exposed to COVID-19.”

People might be able to get Evusheld if they have a weakened immune system due to a medical condition or because they’re taking medications that affect their immune system.

Evusheld is not a substitute for vaccination. People should wait at least two weeks between getting vaccinated for COVID and receiving Evusheld.

In December 2021, the FDA authorized Evusheld to prevent COVID in people with moderately to severely impaired immunity, and those in whom vaccination is not recommended. On Feb. 24, the FDA recommended increasing the dose due to the emergence of the omicron BA.1 subvariant.

Patients and their health care providers can call the CDR Health In-home COVID-19 Treatment Call Center at 617-644-7592 to learn more about the program and make an appointment for an in-home therapy. Representatives from CDR Health are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Also, people can schedule an appointment directly on the CDR Health Patient Portal page at patientportalma.com.