South Korea has authorised AstraZeneca PLC's antibody-based therapy for preventing Covid-19 infection in people with a poor immune response, increasing its options as it works to ease the pandemic burden on the healthcare system.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety granted emergency use authorisation for 20,000 doses of Evusheld for individuals aged 12 years and older who have not been exposed to the coronavirus, Reuters reports.

Nearly 87 per cent of South Korea's 52 million people are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, while 65pc have also had a booster, government data showed.

However, individuals with compromised immune systems or those with a history of severe adverse reaction to vaccines may need alternative prevention options.