COVID Monoclonal Antibody Infusion
Singing River provides Monoclonal Antibody Infusion treatment for COVID positive individuals. If you have recently tested positive for COVID-19, be sure to ask your doctor about this treatment.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you may qualify for an outpatient antibody infusion treatment, which keeps individuals from severe illness and hospitalization due to the virus. Please have rapid or PCR test results on hand and call to schedule an appointment as soon as you receive a positive test result. At-home COVID tests are not accepted.
If you need to be clinically tested, please visit one of our Singing River Medical Clinics.
You must meet certain criteria to qualify for Monoclonal Antibody Infusion. After receiving a positive test result, please ask your provider if the infusion is right for you.
We are currently providing COVID Monoclonal Antibody Infusions in Gulfport and Pascagoula.
Monoclonal Antibody Infusion FAQs:
What is Monoclonal Antibody Infusion?
Monoclonal antibodies, or mAbs, are antibodies designed to recognize a novel (or new) virus like SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, made in a laboratory to fight a particular infection—in this case, SARS-CoV-2—and are given to patients directly with an infusion. That’s why mAb treatment may help patients who are at high risk for severe symptoms or having to be hospitalized.
Monoclonal antibody is a new experimental therapy for people at a higher risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19 and is available as part of an emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration.
How does Monoclonal Antibody Infusion help?
The short answer: It may help you from getting sicker or needing to be hospitalized.
The long answer: Monoclonal Antibody Infusion is designed to reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms and aims to keep individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 out of the hospital.
Because the infusions are lab-created antibodies specifically targeted at detecting and fight the SARS-CoV-2 virus, indications show that this is why Monoclonal Antibody Infusion treatment may help patients who are at high risk for severe symptoms or having to be hospitalized.
How is Monoclonal Antibody Infusion different from a COVID-19 Vaccine?
The short answer: Vaccines are preventative (ie for healthy, non-infected people). Monoclonal Antibody Infusion are used as treatment for individuals who have recently tested positive for COVID-19.
The long answer: Monoclonal Antibody Infusion treatment for COVID-19 is different from a COVID-19 vaccine. A vaccine triggers your body’s natural immune response, but can take weeks to develop enough antibodies and prevent some kinds of infection. But if you already have the virus, Monoclonal Antibody Infusion treatment gives your body the antibodies it needs to protect itself.
Who can receive Monoclonal Antibody Infusion?
People who have had symptoms for 10 days or less and who meet qualification criteria, such as BMI minimums, known complicating risk factors for COVID-19, etc. are eligible for Monoclonal Antibody Infusion.
Qualification criteria is ever-changing. Please talk to your doctor or call 228-809-5000 to see if you qualify.
How soon after a positive COVID-19 test should I receive Monoclonal Antibody Infusion?
The sooner the better. Do not wait to talk to your doctor or call 228-809-5000 to be scheduled for Monoclonal Antibody Infusion.
How do I get scheduled for Monoclonal Antibody Infusion?
- Your first step is to have a COVID-19 test done. PCR test is preferred.
- If you are positive, talk with your doctor about Monoclonal Antibody Infusion.
- Call 228-809-5000 to schedule your infusion. (If you prefer a Gulfport appointment, call 228-575-7198 to schedule.)
- Follow instructions given by the scheduling department.