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By David Opinko

First Paxlovid shipment to arrive in Alberta next week

Jan 26, 2022 | 1:24 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Albertans will soon have a new way of treating moderate COVID-19 symptoms.

The Alberta Government says the first shipment of the oral antiviral medication Paxlovid is expected to arrive in the province on January 31.

It is a treatment that Premier Jason Kenney has been pushing hard for Alberta to get since it was approved.

“It’s important that we keep as many Albertans out of hospital as possible. Having Paxlovid available for Albertans to use in their homes is just one more way we can do that. Due to supply and where it will provide the most benefit, access to Paxlovid will be limited initially, but we will continue to press the federal government for more supplies.”

Paxlovid is the first COVID-19 treatment approved by Health Canada that can be taken orally at home and the second COVID-19 early treatment option in Alberta after Sotrovimab was made available last year.

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As there are known side effects with taking it, you can only get it with a prescription after an assessment by a clinician.

The treatment is to be used by people with a confirmed COVID-19 infection and who are within five days of first experiencing symptoms. They must meet the following criteria:

• Individuals who have no contraindications and one of the following immunocompromising conditions, regardless of vaccination status:
  • transplant recipients
  • oncology patients who have received chemotherapy or other immunosuppressive treatment since December 2020
  • inflammatory conditions, such as:
    • rheumatoid arthritis;
    • lupus;
    • inflammatory bowel disease;
• Individuals who have no contraindications are unvaccinated and:
  • age 65 and older
  • age 18 and older with a pre-existing health condition, including:
    • diabetes (taking medication for treatment)
    • obesity (BMI >30)
    • congestive heart failure
    • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and moderate to severe asthma

“We have established the current eligibility criteria to ensure that those who are most at risk and who have no contraindications are able to access this treatment in a timely manner, helping to keep COVID from progressing to a more serious stage,” says Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw. “If you are eligible, please contact Health Link as soon as your COVID-19 is confirmed to discuss options for treatment.”

Albertans who meet the aforementioned criteria can call Health Link at 1-844-343-0971. Staff will ask a few screening questions to confirm eligibility and arrange for treatment if available.