COVID-19 antiviral still effective against Omicron, real-world studies show
Nirmatrelvir–ritonavir halves the risk of death and hospitalisation in patients with mild COVID-19, studies show.
Nirmatrelvir–ritonavir halves the risk of death and hospitalisation in patients with mild COVID-19 at risk of severe disease — even during the Omicron variant era — two large studies confirm.
International researchers say the studies, with a combined 205,000 adults, are the first to assess the real-world effectiveness of the antiviral in non-hospitalised patients infected with the BA.2, BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.
Infectious diseases paediatrician Professor Robert Booy, from the University of Sydney, said the data added to the evidence that vaccinated patients could benefit from nirmatrelvir–ritonavir (Paxlovid).
He said similar outcomes could be expected in Australian patients.
