Treatment FAQ

who should get the monoclonal antibody treatment

by Jeanne Kemmer Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Monoclonal antibody treatment is available to individuals who:
  • Are high risk** for developing severe COVID-19 AND.
  • Have a positive COVID-19 test and have not yet been admitted to the hospital AND.
  • Are 12 years of age or older (and at least 88 pounds)
Aug 20, 2021

What is a monoclonal antibody for COVID-19?

Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced molecules that act as substitute antibodies that can restore, enhance or mimic the immune system's attack on cells. Monoclonal antibodies for COVID-19 may block the virus that causes COVID-19 from attaching to human cells, making it more difficult for the virus to reproduce and cause harm. Monoclonal antibodies may also neutralize a virus.Mar 31, 2022

Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine if I was treated with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma?

If you were treated for COVID-19 symptoms with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Which groups of people are at increased risks of severe illness from COVID-19?

Among adults, the risk for severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age, with older adults at highest risk. Severe illness means that the person with COVID-19 may require hospitalization, intensive care, or a ventilator to help them breathe, or they may even die. People of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are also at increased risk for severe illness from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

What is the difference between monoclonal antibodies and the COVID-19 vaccine?

COVID-19 vaccines help stimulate and prepare a person's immune system to respond if they are exposed to the virus. However, monoclonal antibodies boost the immune system only after a person is already sick, speeding up their immune response to prevent COVID-19 from getting worse.Nov 8, 2021

Should you still get the COVID-19 vaccine if you were treated with monoclonal antibodies?

If you were treated for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, there is no need to delay getting a COVID-19 vaccine.Feb 17, 2022

Do I need the COVID-19 vaccine if I still have antibodies?

Yes, the COVID-19 vaccines are recommended, even if you had COVID-19.Nov 23, 2021

Who is most at risk for the coronavirus disease?

Older adults are at highest risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. More than 81% of COVID-19 deaths occur in people over age 65. The number of deaths among people over age 65 is 97 times higher than the number of deaths among people ages 18-29 years.

Who is at greatest risk of infection from COVID-19?

Currently, those at greatest risk of infection are persons who have had prolonged, unprotected close contact (i.e., within 6 feet for 15 minutes or longer) with a patient with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, regardless of whether the patient has symptoms.

Does having a weakened immune system increase your risk of severe COVID-19?

Being immunocompromised can make you more likely to get very sick from COVID-19. Many conditions and treatments can cause a person to be immunocompromised or have a weakened immune system. For example, some people inherit problems with their immune system. One example is called Primary immunodeficiency.

What is a monoclonal antibody?

Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced molecules that act as substitute antibodies that can restore, enhance or mimic the immune system's attack on cells.Mar 31, 2022

How many types of monoclonal antibody COVID-19 treatments are there in the US?

In the United States, there are three anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody treatments with FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the treatment of COVID-19: bamlanivimab plus etesevimab, casirivimab plus imdevimab,, and sotrovimab.

Can I get COVID-19 again after having the vaccine?

Getting COVID-19 after you've been vaccinated or recovered is still possible. But having some immunity -- whether from infection or vaccination -- really drops the odds of this happening to you.Nov 9, 2021

What are monoclonal antibodies?

Our bodies naturally make antibodies to fight infections. However, if you haven’t received the COVID-19 vaccine or had a previous COVID-19 infection, your body will not have antibodies designed to recognize a new virus like SARS-CoV-2.

How does monoclonal antibody therapy help?

Monoclonal antibody therapy is a way of treating COVID-19 for people who have tested positive, have had mild symptoms for seven days or less, and are at high risk for developing more serious symptoms.

Who is eligible for monoclonal antibody therapy?

Given that COVID-19 vaccination provides strong protection against severe disease and need for hospitalization, monoclonal antibody therapy is an option for certain high-risk patients with COVID-19.

WHAT IS A MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY?

Your body naturally makes antibodies to fight infection. However, your body may not have antibodies designed to recognize a novel (or new) virus like SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

How Can I Get Monoclonal Antibodies?

To receive a mAb you should be referred for treatment by your healthcare professional and directed to available infusion locations. If you do not have a healthcare provider, call the Combat COVID Monoclonal Antibodies Call Center at 1-877-332-6585 to find out who to talk with about your symptoms and treatment.

WHAT IF I DO NOT QUALIFY FOR MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TREATMENT?

Your healthcare professional may decide you do not qualify for mAb treatment. There could be several reasons for this. You may not meet all eligibility criteria or you may have an underlying health condition that disqualifies you for mAb treatment.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM TREATMENT (INFUSION)?

The mAb treatment is usually offered at an infusion center because the treatment is given through an intravenous (IV) infusion or shots. Depending on the mAb treatment you receive, the whole process takes about 1-3 hours, depending on the treatment..

CAN MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TREATMENT MAKE ME SICK?

Antibody treatments do not contain any live SARS-CoV-2, so there is no risk you will get COVID-19 from mAb treatment. However, the antibody treatment may have side effects:

What antibody is used to block the virus?

Monoclonal antibodies against COVID-19 attach to the virus to block it from entering human cells. The monoclonal antibody protein also “marks” the virus to be broken down by the immune system and cleared from the body.

What is the function of antibodies?

Antibodies are proteins that exist in our bodies as part of our immune system to recognize and defend against harmful viruses and bacteria. Monoclonal antibodies are made in a laboratory and designed to target a specific virus or bacteria.

Can monoclonal antibodies cause nausea?

Most people tolerate monoclonal antibody infusions very well. Some people may experience infusion-related side effects, such as nausea and dizziness, that are short-lived and go away on their own. As with any medication, there is the potential for mild or more severe allergic reactions, which are uncommon.

What are monoclonal antibodies?

Antibodies are naturally produced by your body to fight off infections. When your body is introduced to a new virus such as COVID-19, it does not have the antibodies to fight it off. That is where monoclonal antibodies come in. Monoclonal antibodies are created in a laboratory. They can target a particular virus or infection such as COVID-19.

How does monoclonal antibody therapy work?

Monoclonal antibodies are given by IV or a single-dose injection to people diagnosed with COVID-19. This therapy uses COVID-19 antibodies to help a person’s body fight off the infection. The injection is a lower dosage than the infusion therapy.

What monoclonal antibody therapies for COVID-19 are available?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved emergency use authorization for five antibody infusion therapies:

Is monoclonal antibody therapy effective against the Omicron variant?

So far, it appears only one of the monoclonal antibody treatments – sotrovimab – is effective against the Omicron variant for outpatient treatment. Most of the other monoclonal antibody treatments have limited or no effectiveness against the Omicron variant .

Who should get monoclonal antibody therapy?

Monoclonal antibody treatment is now available for three specific uses:

Who is at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19?

While anybody can get very sick or even die from COVID-19, those most at risk include:

What COVID-19 treatment is available for people diagnosed with COVID-19?

If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 but aren’t sick enough to be hospitalized, you may think there isn’t much you can do. It is important to:

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