A well-known WWII veteran will receive antiviral medication for COVID-19 after all.
But the difficulty getting it is leading to demands for wider change to the province’s policy for seniors.
100-year-old Rod Deon staffed the annual Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Campaign this past Remembrance Day and was part of a motorcade to the Royal Canadian Legion in Pleasantville to honour surviving WWII veterans.
But he tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.
His daughter, Jenn Deon, took to social media in frustration, indicating that her father was denied access to potentially life-saving antivirals even though they were recommended by his nurse practitioner.
So. Despite his doctor recommending it, my 100 year old father, with a history of emphysema, has been DENIED access to potentially live-saving anti virals that could keep him out of hospital. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? #Covid19nfld @PeterCBC @Rosie_Mullaley @VOCMNEWS
— Jenn Deon ???? (@jenndeon) April 25, 2022
It turns out that, despite his age, Rod Deon did not fit within the government policy which indicates seniors who are triple vaccinated do not qualify for antiviral medication.
Jenn Deon says she did get a call Monday night indicating that her father will get the drug, but she believes the policy should be revisited for all seniors.
Meanwhile, in a statement of clarification, the Department of Health and Community Services says the antiviral drug Paxlovid is a treatment option that is only available to a limited number of patients because of a number of significant and severe drug interactions.
The department says other eligibility criteria must also be met prior to receiving the drug.
To date, a total of 3,100 treatment courses have been received by the province, with just over 200 administered to patients; 130 in Eastern Health, 50 in Central Health, 25 in Western Health, and 11 in Labrador-Grenfell Health.
Officials say there have been no admissions to hospital related to COVID-19 for people who have taken Paxlovid.
