Is monoclonal antibody therapy right for me?
When administered to non-hospitalized, high-risk patients as soon as possible after positive viral testing for COVID-19 and within 10 days of symptom onset, monoclonal antibodies may improve symptoms and reduce risk of hospitalizations and death associated with COVID-19. Monoclonal antibodies may also be used following exposure to COVID-19 for some high-risk individuals, but is not a substitute for vaccination.
Step 1: Test positive for COVID-19, develop Step 2: Contact Step 3: Contact an symptoms, and health care provider available infusion location answer yes to high-risk for referral. (covid.infusioncenter.org). conditions. High-risk adults and children (12-17) who have had symptoms of COVID-19 for 10 days or less should be considered for treatment by their health care providers and directed to available infusion locations. High- risk individuals with a known exposure may be eligible for treatment to reduce risk of becoming seriously ill. Steps 2 and 3 remain the same for this alternate pathway.
What are antibodies? Antibodies are naturally made in our bodies to fight infection.
Without Antibodies With Antibodies Virus Spike protein A virus enters Antibodies block the a cell virus from entering the cell or enable it to be Cell lining destroyed. Antibody
What are monoclonal antibodies?
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are proteins developed in a laboratory. They act like natural antibodies to attack and neutralize the virus. Monoclonal antibody therapies are administered through an intravenous (IV) infusion. The federal government is distributing antibody supplies at no cost to patients. Medicare, Medicaid, and most third-party insurers cover the infusion cost. Uninsured individuals can still receive mAb as providers can submit for reimbursement to the HRSA Uninsured Program.
If you get a positive test result, talk to your doctor about your risk and your treatment options so you can decide what’s right for you. Remember – this has to be done within 10 days of symptom onset.
August 13, 2021 Who is eligible to receive mAb therapy? Anyone over 12 years of age weighing more than 40kg (89 pounds) and has one of the following high- risk factors making them more susceptible to severe COVID-19 illness: • Are older in age (e.g., age > 65 years of age). • Are obese (Body Mass Index >35) or are overweight (e.g., adults with BMI >25, or if age 12-17, have BMI >85th percentile for their age and gender based on CDC growth charts, Growth Charts - Clinical Growth Charts (cdc.gov)) • Are pregnant • Have chronic kidney disease • Have diabetes • Have immunosuppressive disease or are receiving immunosuppressive treatment • Have cardiovascular disease or hypertension • Have chronic lung diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, moderate to severe asthma, interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, or pulmonary hypertension) • Have sickle cell disease • Have a neurodevelopmental disorder (e.g., cerebral palsy) or other condition that confers with medical complexity • Have a medical-related technological dependence (e.g., tracheostomy, gastrostomy, or positive pressure ventilation (not related to COVID-19)) Other medical conditions or factors (e.g., race or ethnicity) may also place individual patients at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19 and authorization of mAb therapy under the EUA is not limited to the medical conditions or factors listed above. For additional information on medical conditions and factors associated with increased risk for progression to severe COVID-19, see the CDC website: Certain Medical Conditions and Risk for Severe COVID-19 Illness | CDC For treatment following exposure to COVID-19: Casirivimab + imdevimab has also received authorization for use as post-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in individuals who are at high risk of progression to severe COVID-19 and are: • Not fully vaccinated or who are not expected to mount an adequate immune response to complete vaccination (for example, indiviuals with immunocompromising conditions including those taking immunosuppressive medications) and • Have been exposed to an individual infected with COVID-19 consistent with close contact criteria, or • Who are at high risk of exposure to an individual infected with COVID-19 because of occurrence of COVID-19 infection in other individuals in the same institutional setting (for example, nursing home or correctional facility). Post-exposure prophylaxis is not a substitute for vaccination for COVID-19.
Find an infusion location covid.infusioncenter.org
If you have questions, visit Michigan.gov/COVIDtherapy, call the COVID-19 hotline at 888-535-6136 or email [email protected]. August 13, 2021