Alberta offering monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19
Posted Nov 10, 2021 10:52 am.
Last Updated Nov 10, 2021 3:14 pm.
It’s not a replacement for a vaccine, but some Albertans are being offered a new monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19.
The province’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, says Sotrovimab was developed specifically for treating those with COVID who have mild to moderate symptoms.
The treatment is given by IV.
So, those over 65, unvaccinated, and recently diagnosed with COVID have the option of EMS coming to visit them to administer the IV. Also offered to stemcell/organ transplant recipients regardless of vaccine status https://t.co/nt0p4FM0si
— Carly Robinson (@CarlyDRobinson) November 10, 2021
She says treatments started Tuesday for eligible patients.
“(This includes those) aged 65, who are positive for COVID-19, who are unvaccinated, and who wish to have this treatment offered.”
Hinshaw says this drug doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get vaccinated.
Saskatchewan beat Alberta to this one. They are offering it to a bit of a broader population group (unvaccinated 55+ or with high risk, or those with certain immunocompromising conditions regardless of vax). Hinshaw did say it is a 'phased approach' https://t.co/6ZMfBuf8MM
— Carly Robinson (@CarlyDRobinson) November 10, 2021
The treatment is also available for organ and stem cell transplant recipients who are COVID-positive.
The drug is given through an IV to patients at home by community paramedics.
Infectious disease doctor Daniel Gregson says Sotrovimab is the first monoclonal antibody treatment being used for out-patients in provinces like Saskatchewan, Ontario and now Alberta.
But other versions of monoclonals have already widely been used in Canadian hospitals.
Vials of Sotrovimab, COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapy. (Credit: GSK and Vir Biotechnology)
“For people at high risk of regression, hospitalization or death, we can use this drug to reduce the risk of that, not completely stop it,” said Gregson.
“That’s where we’ve been using the other ones, in hospital settings. But actually in the United States, they’ve been giving monoclonals for at least six to eight months now.”
And it’s people like transplant recipients, eligible in Alberta regardless of vaccine status if they catch covid, who can really benefit.
“Those patients don’t respond to the vaccines, so really these antibodies can really be life-saving in that setting,” said Gregson. “(For) the average person, the vaccine is probably more effective in preventing hospitalization and death.”
—With files from Carly Robinson.
