A new investigational monoclonal antibody treatment that may reduce hospitalization for people infected with COVID-19 will be distributed to hospitals and patients in skilled nursing facilities throughout San Bernardino County.
The federal government funded the distribution of 484 units of Bamlanivimab to the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health to provide the treatments to emergency rooms and skilled nursing facilities. The treatment from Eli Lilly is similar to the Regeneron treatment given to President Donald J. Trump during his hospitalization in October, but his was for more critically ill patients and does not have FDA Emergency Use Authorization.
“This medication will allow our county to treat a significant share of our high-risk patients who do not require hospitalization,” said Dr. Erin Gustafson, the County’s Acting Public Health Officer. “We are hopeful that this therapy will help residents who can take it to recover quickly from this virus.”
The therapy is used to treat COVID-19 in non-hospitalized adults and adolescents 12 years or older, typically those who arrive in emergency rooms and test positive for the virus with mild to moderate symptoms and who meet the following criteria:
– Have a body mass index (BMI) over 35
– Have chronic kidney disease
– Have diabetes
– Have immunosuppressive disease
– Are currently receiving immunosuppressive treatment
– Are older than 65 years of age
– Are older than 55 years of age AND have
-cardiovascular disease, OR
-hypertension, OR
-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/other chronic respiratory disease.
– Are 12 – 17 years of age AND have:
– BMI over 85th percentile for their age and gender based on CDC growth charts
– sickle cell disease, OR
– congenital or acquired heart disease, OR
– neurodevelopmental disorders, for example, cerebral palsy, OR
– a medical-related technological dependence, for example, tracheostomy, gastrostomy, or positive pressure ventilation (not related to COVID-19), OR
– asthma, reactive airway or other chronic respiratory disease that requires daily medication for control.
Bamlanivimab is not authorized for use in patients:
– who are hospitalized due to COVID-19, OR
– who require oxygen therapy due to COVID-19, OR
– who require an increase in baseline oxygen flow rate due to COVID-19 in those on chronic oxygen therapy due to underlying non-COVID-19 related comorbidity
For instance, a person with diabetes who tests positive for COVID-19 in the emergency room and does not need to be admitted could receive the IV infusion and be sent home to recover, Gustafson said. Medical personnel will explain the risks and benefits to patients before administering the therapy.
Early results from a clinical trial showed that Bamlanivimab may reduce hospitalization for infected people if given early in infection. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the emergency use of Bamlanivimab for the treatment of COVID-19 under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Bamlanivimab is investigational until evaluation of safety and efficacy of the therapy is complete.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) used the most recent hospital COVID-19 data reported to them to proportionately allocate Bamlanivimab to counties in the state. The County is using the data reported by hospitals to determine their COVID burden to provide an equitable allocation. The treatment regimen of Bamlanivimab is one vial per patient.
Allocations of Bamlanivimab will be provided by the state on a weekly basis until the supply from the federal government is exhausted. Additionally, future allocations are anticipated to benefit more patients on an ongoing basis.
Thank God…now Students,Teachers and Support Personnel can e given a prophylactic 8mg infusion. Kids can get back too school efficent learning with their teachers and friends….
What hospitals are providing this therapy?
How can you apply for this treatment?
HI Erica, contact your doctor or clinic or hospital for assistance.
Go to any emergency room,, I would call first to make sure they are offering this but you don’t have to call your doctor unless yo want to because the doctors In the ER will take care of you. I did as a matter of fact I’m getting it right now. Hope thus helps.
If we are an interested clinic wanting to participate how do we apply or what are the requirements?
Hi Robert, we will have Public Health contact you.
Can someone contact me regarding Bamlanivimab therapy for our patients?
We will have someone contact you.
How can we locate a facility to get someone this treatment –
Contact Public Health at (800) 782-4264
My parents tested Covid positive
Have ground glass opacities in lungs
Have diabetes
Age 82
COPD
THEY MEET CRITERIA
HOSPITAL SAN ANTONO COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
is not giving them the monoclonal antibody treatment.
What can I do?
Hi Teresa, we sent you a private email.
My dad dad tested positive August 17 2021 he is 73 yrs old and has diabetes and now he is not feeling like himself he don’t talk at all and he looks disoriented
If you father is sick, please contact your doctor or take him to a medical center. If it is an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
does Kaiser use this treatment I am high risk and looking ahead had J&J
Please call your medical provider for this information on the antibody therapy.
How does one go about getting this antibody treatment ? Do you have to meet all of the criteria or can anyone get it?
You should call your medical provider and ask how you can obtain it.
Please list local San Bernardino hospitals or facilities giving monoclonal antibodies. This treatment should be given in day1-2 of infection of Covid. I want to be prepared and want to know where I can get this treatment.
The ER I got mine said up to 10 days but I would not wait that long and how bad your symptoms are. I would do this right after being am diagnosed
yes can you please list the medical facilities who are administering this treatment ?
The County is not listing the medical facilities that have these treatments as you have to go through your medical provider to obtain them. Please contact your doctor or medical provider for more information.
I just tested positive. I am 60yrs I am a teacher and want to get back to my student quickly. Can I get this treatment? My medical provider wont provide this.
Hi Karen, unfortunately you must get this treatment prescribed by your doctor or a doctor. Please seek medical advice from your insurance or medical provider.
All you need to do is go directly to any emergency room, I called ahead to make sure they provided this and the doctors there will ask you a few questions and you can receive treatment, that’s it. No need to call your private doctor. What if your doc is not available but do this right after you test positive. There is a window
This is worthless – why don’t you provide answers so everyone can see them. Riverside County actually has monoclonals and they have the information available to everyone how to get an appointment and how to get questions answered. How come San Bernardino County doesn’t put out same information for its citizens?