Covid-19 treatments are widely available to at-risk New Yorkers, but many people who could benefit from them may not even know they exist.
Such a treatment, a antiretroviral drugs called Paxlovid, is very effective, said Dr Ted Long, head of New York City’s Trial and Trace Foundation, a city program that provides free testing and assistance to residents. New York with Covid-19.
“For every 20 New Yorkers we treat with Paxlovid, we prevent one New Yorker from getting sick enough to require hospitalization,” Dr. Long said.
New York City coronavirus cases increased by 6 percent over the past two weeks, according to The New York Times tracker, was largely fueled by the highly contagious sub-Omicron BA.2. Hospitalizations increased by 23% in the same time period.
Across the country, hundreds of thousands of Paxlovid . pills did not useand the White House announced plans this week to expand access.
The city’s health department did not say how many pills had been distributed in New York, although Dr. Ashwin Vasan, the health commissioner, said the intake was “significant.” The city has made efforts to advertise in newspapers and public service announcements.
“We are in a new phase of pandemic response, where we have a wide range of tools at our disposal,” Dr. Vasan said.
But some experts believe that too little is known about the treatments.
Denis Nash, professor of epidemiology at the City University of New York.
Paxlovid, an authorized Pfizer drug at the end of December, is one of several existing treatments that have been shown to be effective against Covid-19. It is liked by The federal government and New York City Officials because of how well it reduces the risk of death and hospitalization from Covid-19 in high-risk, unvaccinated adults in effective trials.
Here’s an overview of the different Covid-19 treatments and how to do them in New York City.
What treatments are available for Covid-19?
Both oral antiviral treatments and monoclonal antibodies are available. Antivirals work by interrupting the cycle of viruses infecting cells and then taking over those cells to replicate in the body, says Dr. Monoclonal antibodies work by scanning for proteins that the virus makes, thereby helping to strengthen a person’s immune system.
Two antiviral oral medications are available for Covid-19 in New York City: Paxlovid and molnupiravir.
Paxlovid is prescribed as three pills taken twice a day for five dayswhile molnupiravir – allowed to use in December – specified as four tablets twice a day for five days.
Both drugs are available through an online pharmacy, Alto, and at select pharmacies across the city. You can find a list of nearby people on a federal website.
Most New Yorkers looking for antiviral treatments should expect to receive Paxlovid, Dr. Vasan said.
There are also two antibody treatments that appear to be effective against BA.2 in laboratory studies: Bebtelovimab, allowed to use in February and intravenously, and Evosheld, allowed to use in DecemberFor people who are allergic to vaccines or are immunosuppressed.
Who is eligible for these treatments?
For most treatments, city officials give preference to people who not only test positive for coronavirus but also have mild to moderate symptoms and are at high risk of developing serious illness. important. (Evusheld was given to people before they tested positive.)
You are considered at high risk of developing serious illness from Covid-19 if you are 65 years of age or older, or if you have health risks such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease. People who are immunosuppressed are also considered to be at high risk for the disease.
The federal government has urged suppliers Prioritize treatments for people who have not been vaccinated, or are not fully immunized.
You must be over 12 years old and weigh more than 40 kg, or about 88 pounds, to receive Paxlovid, bebtelovimab, and Evusheld. But you must be at least 18 years old to take molnupiravir.
People with severe kidney or liver disease may not be eligible for Paxlovid and molnupiravir Can not be used during pregnancy. Pregnant or nursing women should speak with their healthcare provider before taking Paxlovid, according to the FDA fact sheet to treat.
Andrew Wallach, medical director of New York City Hospitals and Health, says it’s important for patients to talk to their doctors about medications they’re taking, as they can interact negatively. with the treatment methods.
How to get them?
After a positive result, you should notify your doctor or call the city’s Covid hotline, 212-COVID19 (212-268-4319) and press 9 to be connected to one of the city doctor to determine your eligibility. You can also visit Virtual quick care to schedule a phone or video visit or fill out city screening tool too.
After your doctor decides which treatment is right for you, the medicine will be delivered to a nearby pharmacy or to your home. The city’s partnership with Alto Pharmacy makes same-day home delivery possible.
The Biden administration also recently announced an initiative “trials to treat”, makes it possible to get tested for coronavirus at some pharmacies, and if you test positive, get free antiviral medication on the spot. You can find locations on the federal website.
Do I have to pay?
Dr. Vasan said they are currently free for all New Yorkers.
Are the treatments effective?
Oral treatments have been shown to reduce hospitalizations and deaths from Covid-19 if taken soon after the onset of symptoms.
Paxlovid reduces risk of hospitalization and death by 88% in high-risk, unvaccinated individuals when taken within five days of the onset of symptoms in a Pfizer trial published in Decemberbefore there are Omicron waves.
Molnupiravir reduces the risk of hospitalization and death by 30% in high-risk, unvaccinated individuals when used within five days of the onset of symptoms, according to analysis from Merck was published in November.
Bebtelovimab, which must be taken within seven days of the onset of symptoms, has not been tested in a study that could show whether it could prevent serious illness, and the Food and Drug Administration says it’s not a preferred treatment.
Evusheld, which can be administered as often as every six months, was found to be powerful effect prevent Covid in a clinical trial.
Are there any side effects?
Dr Wallach said: Paxlovid was “well tolerated”. Side effects that have been seen in small numbers in clinical trials include diarrhea, increased blood pressure, and soreness.
Because bebtelovimab is given intravenously, some people may develop a rash at the injection site.
How many New Yorkers have received these treatments?
Hard to say. Patrick Gallahue, a spokesman, said: The health department was unable to provide the data, in part because it did not “have the ability to show the full spectrum of pharmacies” that dispense many treatments.
Dr Nash said there is a vaccination registry that tracks vaccinations, but there is no registry of prescription drugs.
“It’s an issue that they don’t capture the pulse of this, because that’s the main thing that will help us prevent these spikes, hospitalizations and deaths,” he said. “That plus vaccines and boosters.”
Dr Nash worries that the inequalities seen in each phase of the pandemic, including in testing and vaccine rollout, will happen again with these treatments.
“If you don’t anticipate that fundamental inequalities in access to health care will widen, if you don’t have a plan for it, you’ve done an excellent job in providing care. take care of the most vulnerable. in the city,” said Dr. Nash.
How has the rollout been going so far?
Treatments are available through Alto Pharmacy and community health centers. The health ministry is also working to expand access to traditional pharmacies across the city. Ultimately, public officials decide how to allocate treatments to pharmacies.
Colombo’s Pharmacy in Queens is one of the places currently offering Paxlovid and molnupiravir.
It received its first batch, 20 doses of each drug, earlier this month. Dr. David Kandov, pharmacist, said that so far only about five people have requested the treatments.
Dr Kandov expressed frustration at how long it took to receive the first batch, saying that the network he belongs to has been trying unsuccessfully to access the drugs since December, when they were licensed. first.
He blamed the medical department. “They effectively removed us from it and cut off access in the community,” says Dr Kandov. “Because at the end of the day, pretty much everything is available, mail order and that kind of thing, nowhere near what patients have right in their community.”
“The city is offering a delivery model that ensures instant access to any address in New York, starting at a time when there is insufficient supply for brick-and-mortar pharmacies across the country,” said Gallahue. whole City. “As supplies have improved, more pharmacies have been introduced.”
