What are monoclonal antibodies?
Your body naturally makes antibodies to fight infections, but this process takes time. Monoclonal antibody therapy is an infusion or injection of antibodies that are made in a laboratory specifically to fight COVID-19. This can be helpful if you have not been vaccinated, or if your immune system is not able to make enough natural antibodies to fight off the disease. Like many other COVID-19 treatments, these medications are not FDA-approved but are available to patients under Emergency Use Authorization. Different monoclonal antibodies are available for treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Monoclonal antibodies are not a substitute for COVID-19 vaccination.
Preventing COVID-19
A limited supply of a different type of monoclonal antibody therapy is available for pre-exposure prevention. Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent COVID-19, and it should be considered the first line of prevention.
Monoclonal antibody therapy for pre-exposure prevention can be prescribed for patients who are moderately to severely immunocompromised because of a medical condition or immunosuppressive therapy. Patients must also be unable to produce an adequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination or unable to be vaccinated due to history of a severe adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine or its ingredients.
Contact your Atlantic Health System primary care physician or specialist to learn more.
Treating COVID-19
Not everyone can get monoclonal antibody therapy. To be eligible you must:
- have tested positive for COVID-19
- be experiencing mild to moderate symptoms
- be at high-risk of severe illness due to your age or a health condition
Speak to your Atlantic Health System primary care physician to determine if you are eligible. Please be aware that some criteria are time-sensitive. A physician visit (either in-person or virtual) AND a prescription are required to be considered for scheduling and treatment with monoclonal antibodies.
Atlantic Health System offers monoclonal antibody treatment at multiple locations. Contact your Atlantic Health System primary care physician right away if you begin to experience COVID-19 symptoms. Need an Atlantic Health System primary care physician? Find one near you >