An antibody treatment for COVID-19 is now being offered at both Jefferson City hospitals.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in November issued an emergency use authorization for bamlanivimab for treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adult and pediatric patients.
Bamlanivimab is authorized for patients with positive results for COVID-19 who are age 12 and older and those who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. This includes people who are 65 or older or who have certain chronic medical conditions.
According to the FDA, bamlanivimab was shown in clinical trials to reduce COVID-19-related hospitalization or emergency room visits in patients at high risk for disease progression within 28 days after treatment when compared to a placebo.
Bamlanivimab is not authorized for patients who are hospitalized due to COVID-19 or require oxygen therapy due to COVID-19.
Dr. Lenora Adams, of St. Mary's Hospital, said the SSM Health facility and Capital Region Medical Center have this treatment available, but it must be prescribed by a person's medical care provider before it can be given. It can be administered as a single dose intravenously.
Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system's ability to fight off harmful antigens such as viruses. Bamlanivimab is a monoclonal antibody that is specifically directed against the spike protein of the coronavirus, designed to block the virus' attachment and entry into human cells.
"It needs to be given within the first few days after person has been found to have tested positive for the virus," Adams said. "Ideally it would be within five days of symptom onset."