A new drug developed by AstraZeneca that could prevent immunocompromised people from developing COVID-19 will be available soon in New Brunswick.

Evusheld has been approved by Health Canada for immunocompromised people aged 12 or older, who are either unlikely to mount an adequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination or for whom vaccination against COVID-19 is not recommended.

The drug is administered through two injections given to people either before they become infected or after they have had a recent exposure to COVID-19.

Clinical trials have found the drug to reduce the risk of developing symptomatic COVID-19 by 77 per cent. Evusheld was found to provide protection for at least six months.