Posted on 09/16/2021 9:23:48 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Monoclonal antibody treatment can reduce the severity of COVID-19 if infused quickly after a positive test. That’s been in the books for months, even though it doesn’t draw much attention.
Now anyone considered high risk, who is exposed to COVID-19, qualifies for the treatment, adding the preventative capability into the mix.
“We know from previous data that we can reduce the need for hospitalization and the risk of dying by 70% if we can get the medication in on time,’’ said Dr. Bruce Muma, CEO of the Henry Ford Physician Network who heads up Henry Ford’s monoclonal antibody program. “
“For every 10 infusions, we prevent a hospitalization. For every 50 infusions, we save a life,’’ Muma said.
At Henry Ford Health System more than 2,600 monoclonal antibody infusions have been administered without a single bad reaction.
“We are not actually participating in a study to prove it works, that’s already happened. The FDA decided to expand the indications based on that data. It does work, it works for people who are treated and it also has some effectiveness to prevent it from happening in people that are at super high-risk,’’ Muma said.
High risk includes over age 65 and anyone with chronic conditions like kidney disease, lung disease or heart disease. The FDA also included anyone with a BMI (Body Mass Index) of more than 25. “More than half the population of the country has a BMI over 25. That’s the high-risk group. That expanded it, making it very permissive,’’ Muma said.
The CDC has reported that 78% of those with COVID who were hospitalized were obese or overweight.
“For the post-exposure prophylactics, they basically added the criteria that they had not been vaccinated or they’re immunocompromised such as they didn’t respond, they likely didn’t have a good response to the vaccine. They might be on cancer chemotherapy or other treatments impairing their immune system. Or they have a disease that impairs their immune system and they may not have responded fully to the vaccine even if they got the full vaccine,’’ Muma added.
Monoclonal antibody is a form of treatment discovered in the mid-1970s and brought to market in the mid-1990s for several diseases including autoimmune diseases, cancer and infections.
Basically monoclonal antibodies are human antibodies created in a lab using various
animal cell culture techniques. These antibodies bind to a target protein in the body and stimulate the immune system to eliminate it. In the case of a viral target, like COVID19, it binds to the spike protein on the surface of the virus.
It is usually given intravenously, although that is changing.
“Up until the latest (Emergency Use Authorization) was released about three weeks ago it was only given by IV infusion. … In other conditions with other monoclonal antibody formulations we’ve been able to inject it. With this latest EUA the FDA is allowing us to do injections as well as infusion. For some patients who it’s really hard to get an IV on or they don’t want an IV we can give it by injection,’’ Muma said.
He said they prefer the infusion for people who have the infection because it spreads through the body quicker. For the people who are getting the preventative treatment the injection is fine.
Despite the positive data about monoclonal antibodies, it’s still almost a secret.
Muma said there are many reasons.
“One factor is that hospitals are so swamped with managing patients in the hospital and managing all the other related issues like getting people vaccinated. I don’t know if we’ve had the resources that we need — we being health care in general across Southeast Michigan — to invest in the infusion process,’’ Muma said.
“We have massive shortages of nurses right now so infusion centers — we’ve struggled to get enough staffing to open up enough beds to provide it. I know every other health system has struggled with it too,’’ he added.
He said there are lots of places to get the monoclonal antibody treatment but it’s hard for any one person to know where the closest and best place is. Some urgent care centers and doctors offices give the infusions. He suggests calling your doctor or checking the website CurshCovid.com to find a location.
“We’ve actually worked with the health departments as well as with some of the other health systems to help them develop the capacity and maybe the processes they need to effectively distribute it,’’ Muma said.
The medication itself is paid for by the federal government. Most insurance companies cover the administration charges. Henry Ford works with the Department of Health and Human Services so if somebody does not have insurance coverage, it is free of charge.
“We think the best way to deliver this going forward is in the home. We have a paramedic program called Mobile Integrated Health. We have employed paramedics at Henry Ford, they are licensed and supervised to provide the treatment in the home,’’ Muma said. “They can travel to the home, bring the medication, and put the IV in. The patient has to be watched for an hour.
While there is no cure for COVID-19, monoclonal antibodies have been proven to help lessen the symptoms.
“We want to get the word out that if you’re not vaccinated we still want to save you, please come in and get your infusion,’’ Muma said.
yes, and Texas. there was a story indicating Biden may try to block them from getting it.
Well I ask this because I have a low immunity issue....not bad just even as a child any kid disease or colds etc. I always had to go to the Dr’s for a prescription as over the counter drugs wouldn’t work.
“REGENERON”
Yep that is the one I got. Pure blood here. The docs that administer the shots tell you that it is far better and safer than the vax.
When I go to the indiamart website it says contact supplier. Is that how it works?
I have been saying this (like a broken record) but anyone who is counting on this treatment, call around and find out before you get sick what the criteria are. I would not qualify for any of the ones within a 2 mile drive of me.
I just got off the phone with my neighbor who is now in SC with her very sick son, he is 36. The husband, wife and four kids are all sick, the baby is not. The husband is the worst, can hardly move. They tried to get him monoclonals yesterday and he was denied them as he did not fit the criteria. I called around and found a center near him as well as one a few hours away that sounds like they might take him. So, I sent her that information.
The wife’s doctor also prescribed ivermectin so the husband and wife have started on that today as well.
Anyway, have a plan before you get sick! Don’t just look at the website, call them!
My PSA for the day.
That’s why they’re cutting it off to red states.
No doubt. Only problem is that it costs thousands of dollars per patient.
***
What criteria kept the husband from getting treated? Was he too young?
Please seek the monoclonals out, either if you are vaccinated or not, if you are in the scope of those who can, in your state. Have an oximeter on hand to check while your COVID-19 PCR test comes back 24 hours later.
Why have the oximeter results? Because some states still say if your O2 level can't get to 94% or higher, you can't get the antibodies (this was what the CDC required under rationing).
Until you get those antibodies, likely in an outpatient setting, please take heed of the FLCCC protocol and do whatever you can from that. After all, you may find you are turned away.
Were you able to get it from India? I tried to order. They wanted a bank wireless transfer. My bank will not do international wireless transfers. The pharmacy then said to use Transferwise to transfer the money. Transferwise said they will not transfer to that Indian Pharmacy. So, basically, how do you order from these Pharmacies? Has anyone actually gotten an order back?
My husband took Ivermecting pills for humans after I tested positive. He only had a loss of spell as a symptom. He is extremely high risk. The cost of treatment was less than $100 including a doctor virtual call. He has full antibodies to COVID.
Those people start emailing you. I never got one that I could pay. My bank refuses wireless international bank transfers. Moneygram will not work. Transferwise refused to sent to the Pharmacy I had negotiated with.
Those people start emailing you. I never got one that I could pay. My bank refuses wireless international bank transfers. Moneygram will not work. Transferwise refused to sent to the Pharmacy I had negotiated with.
He was too young and did not meet the BMI requirement and had no risk factors like diabetes.
His oxygen levels are still good.
He is extremely weak, though. He nearly had a wreck trying to take his kids to get covid tests. That’s when my neighbor and her husband dropped everything to drive over. They are older and high risk, her husband has a heart stent and other issues so she was nervous about going but is going to help with the kids.
Best of all, if you weren’t “vaccinated” to begin with, you wind up with full natural immunity
The vaccinated are also exposed to the virus before getting the injection of antibodies. During this time, maybe they generate many types of antibodies to the virus and become immune.
Thanks for the heads up. I got covid about a month ago and used the horse wormer. Worked wonders and would use it again without hesitation.
Okay, so too young, too fit, and too healthy. They definitely seem to be trying to restrict to more at-risk people. I wonder if he could get it if he were willing to pay for it out of pocket.
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