Changes to Paxlovid eligibility criteria

Please see the changes below to the Paxlovid eligibility criteria. The updated NIRMATRELVIR / RITONAVIR (PAXLOVID) SCREENING AND PRESCRIBING FORM and the updated Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir (Paxlovid) Guidance for Healthcare Professionals (Updated April 29, 2022) can be can be found on the HCS website here.

The specific changes are the removal of the vaccination requirement and accessibility for patients in hospital but under ALC. The criteria now reads (CHANGES IN Bold):

You have not been admitted to hospital (EXCEPTIONS ARE MADE FOR PATIENTS IN HOSPITAL BUT UNDER ALTERNATE LEVEL OF CARE)
Your symptoms started within the last 5 days
You tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 5 days
You belong to one of the following high-risk groups:
You are immunocompromised, regardless of vaccine status. Immunocompromised means:
You are undergoing cancer treatment;
You had a solid organ transplant and you are taking immunosuppressive therapy;
You had a stem cell transplant in the last 2 years;
You had CAR-T cell treatment in the last 2 years;
You have a moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (diagnosis of DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, common variable immunodeficiency, Good’s syndrome or hyper IgE syndrome);
You have advanced or untreated HIV (does not apply if you have an undetectable viral load);
You are taking high dose corticosteroids (e.g., 20 mg or greater of prednisone daily for over 2 weeks); or
You are taking a highly immunosuppressive drug (biologic medication, transplant or chemotherapy related immunosuppressant).
You are 80 years of age or older, REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS
You are 60 years of age or older, REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS, and you reside in a rural/remote community, long-term care setting, or live in an Indigenous community
You do not have a medical condition that would make treatment inappropriate
You are not taking medications that would result in a serious drug interaction with Paxlovid