UVA works to get treatment with monoclonal antibodies

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia (WVIR) – Getting the vaccine is the best defense against COVID-19, but what if you can’t get the vaccine?

FDA Posted an emergency use authorization for treatment with monoclonal antibodies which can be given to people who are immunocompromised or who have had severe adverse reactions to a vaccine.

“This is the first drug we can give you before you are exposed to COVID-19 to keep you from getting sick,” Patrick Jackson, assistant professor of infectious diseases at the University of Virginia.

The drug, an injection, works before exposure to COVID-19 and lasts for six months. The treatment is reserved for people medically unable to be vaccinated.

“This is a possibility for people who have a real medical contraindication to vaccination, because in the case of a very severe allergy to COVID-19 vaccines, the vast majority of people can be vaccinated. I think the primary role of this drop will really be in people who are immunocompromised, ”Jackson said.

This treatment comes at an important time.

“We still unfortunately have a huge problem with delta right now before omicron goes through. So 70% more cases in Virginia today than two weeks ago. So, so there is, you know, there is bad news, ”said Dr. Bill Petri of the UVA Medical Center.

50,000 doses have been distributed in the United States. UVA Health is working with the Virginia Department of Health to make treatment available.

“We are purely at the mercy of the federal government and we pass it on to VDH, then VDH passes it on to us. So hopefully in the next few weeks we can start treating patients, ”Jackson said.

For those who can get the vaccine, the booster will be essential in slowing the spread of the disease during the holiday season.

“I think everything is very promising in the long term because of the vaccines. But in the short term, we are having a difficult time during the holidays. So be very careful, ”said Petri.

UVA Medical Center is currently working with a multidisciplinary group to determine which patients will receive treatment first.

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