A Poplar Bluff site created to help provide treatment for high-risk COVID-19 patients has provided more than 600 monoclonal antibody infusions in almost two months.
The site is one of six state-contracted centers and is operated by Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. It opened Aug. 28 and is up Oct. 26 for an extension.
“Over the past two months, having the monoclonal antibody treatments and establishing the infusion center has been very positive for the treatment options and overall outcomes for our positive COVID patients,” CEO Rick Naegler said in a press release. “PBRMC is proud to have worked with the State of Missouri to optimize Governor Parson’s vision to provide safe, prompt, and effective treatments decreasing overall demand of resources on the hospital systems.”
The initial monoclonal antibody treatment contract with SLSCO of Galveston, Texas, was activated by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in late August to provide monoclonal antibody (mAb) infusion treatment for 30 days in Butler County and five other places in Missouri.
Since then, PBRMC monoclonal antibody infusion site has been extended once and is up for extension again on Oct. 26.
These free treatments mimic the patient’s immune system’s response to SARS-CoV-2 (the infection that causes COVID-19) and are available to eligible patients 12 years and older with a high risk of progressing to severe forms of COVID-19 or being hospitalized.
Authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use, monoclonal antibody treatments may help people who are at high risk for serious COVID-19 symptoms to recover faster and reduce the likelihood of hospitalization, PBRMC officials said in a press release. High-risk individuals with a recent COVID-19 diagnosis are encouraged to contact their health care provider to discuss possible treatment options.
High-risk patients over age 12, with mild to moderate symptoms, should be referred and treated with monoclonal antibodies within 10 days of symptom onset, officials said. Eligible patients include those with a wide variety of risk factors, including older age, obesity, and pregnancy, conditions like heart, kidney, lung, sickle cell disease and asthma.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes race and ethnicity as a factor, reflecting the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black, Hispanic and other communities.
As the essential effort to vaccinate the public continues, monoclonal antibody treatments serve as an important tool in reducing the harms of infections that occur, according to PBRMC. For people at high-risk of developing serious illness, monoclonal antibodies can significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization, officials report.
For more information see Monoclonal Antibodies for COVID-19: Tips and Frequently Asked Questions or visit combatcovid.hhs.gov.