Monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 can be done right at home, pharmacist says
While doctors stress vaccination is key to limiting the impact of the virus, they also want those who become ill to know about the effective treatment options nearly that can help keep COVID-19 patients out of the hospital.
Posted — UpdatedWakeMed offers antibody treatments for COVID-19 in the emergency department. But there are also options for some people to get that same treatment from home.
“We’re getting a ton of referrals directly from UNC because of not having the chairs or the manpower to actually physically be able to get everyone of the patients calling them," said Steve Adkins, owner of the pharmacy Health Park.
Since June, Adkins has been conducting at-home monoclonal antibody therapy for people who test positive for COVID-19.
The treatment works by giving patients artificial antibodies to fight the virus.
The service is available at no cost and nearly everyone is eligible.
Adkins said that pretty much anyone five years or older is eligible, despite if they are vaccinated or not.
Antibody injections are typically done at home in a patient’s garage or their front porch to avoid transmission.
"It can be used via subcutaneous injection, which is how we’re doing it ... it’s injected under the skin at four different sites," Adkins said.
Adkins says the demand for the service was high this summer, it slowed down during fall, and picked up right after Black Friday.
He hopes more people will use this resource as people are expected to travel and visit family.
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