How does the COVID-19 prevention drug Evusheld work and who should receive it? An infectious disease specialist explains

While many immunocompromised and high-risk patients may benefit from AstraZeneca's Evusheld, drug distribution and access have been uneven. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted emergency use authorization to AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 antibody drug Evusheld on Dec. 8, 2021. Infectious disease physician Patrick Jackson of the University of Virginia explains how it works, who’s eligible and why some patients are having difficulties accessing it.

1. What is Evusheld, and how does it work?