WINNIPEG –
An antibody treatment for COVID-19 is now available for mannitobans who are not fully vaccinated or immunosuppressed.
Monoclonal antibodies are a one-time treatment to stimulate the immune response to the virus and can prevent serious illness. Health Canada has licensed the use of the treatment based on limited human clinical trials and safety, efficacy and quality reviews.
The province’s website says that, when given early in the infection, the treatment has been shown to “significantly prevent hospitalization or death in patients with prior COVID-19 antibodies.”
Monoclonal antibody treatment gives the body temporary antibodies faster than the body can make them. The province’s website says the treatment is now offered as an “additional way to help reduce the risk of hospitalization from COVID-19.”
Treatment is offered to Manitobaans who have tested positive for COVID-19 and have symptoms that began in the last week.
“Early testing is important because a treatment is only effective in the early phase of infection,” said Dr. Jazz Atwal, Manitoba’s provincial deputy director of public health, during Wednesday’s COVID-19 news conference.
Additionally, individuals must meet the criteria in one of three categories:
- Not vaccinated or partially vaccinated, have no history of COVID-19 infection, and be 40 years or older.
- Not vaccinated or partially vaccinated, have no history of COVID-19 infection, are between the ages of 18 and 40, and have a serious health problem including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
- Be over 18 years of age (regardless of vaccination status or previous COVID-19 infection) and be immunosuppressed due to a medical condition.
“While it is not a substitute for the vaccine, monoclonal antibody treatment can help reduce the risk of hospitalization for COVID-19 in those who are at high risk for severe disease,” said Dr. Atwal.
Atwal said the treatment is given by intravenous infusion.
The province says that people who receive monoclonal antibodies should get vaccinated because the treatment doesn’t offer the same protection. However, the province says that people receiving the treatment must wait 90 days before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
Monoclonal antibody treatment is available by referral. More information is available through province website.
Reference-winnipeg.ctvnews.ca