Douglas, Ga – January 25, 2022 – The prevalence of COVID-19 variants remains dynamic across the U.S. and South Georgia. Coffee Regional Medical Center actively assesses data on a continuous basis and adjusts COVID-19 therapeutic guidelines according to guidance from the FDA. CRMC continues to offer a Monoclonal Antibody Clinic for high-risk[1] individuals recently diagnosed with COVID-19 however, the medications used have changed effective today, January 25, 2022. The clinic will administer those monoclonal antibody medications approved and recommended by the FDA and clinically shown to block the Omicron variant of the virus from attaching to cells and reproducing. Omicron is currently the overwhelmingly dominant variant of concern in the U.S., at a prevalence of greater than 97.8%.
We have more treatments that work against the Omicron variant than ever before, including Sotrovimab, a monoclonal antibody treatment, and Remdesivir, an antiviral, which are administered by IV and available at the CRMC Monoclonal Clinic. Oral antiviral medications may also be ordered by patients’ medical providers including Paxlovid and Molnupiravir. These two oral medications are available with a prescription at a limited number of retail pharmacies. It is important to note that monoclonal antibody treatment is NOT a substitute for vaccination against COVID-19, nor is it authorized for pre-exposure prophylaxis or prevention of COVID-19.
The Monoclonal Antibody Clinic at Coffee Regional Medical Center will be open each day if approved medications are available for administration. Availability is based on inventory and the most up-to-date guidance. The clinic is located inside CRMC and a special entrance has been established at the back of the building for this clinic. Please allow approximately 3 hours for the infusion appointment. All clinic patients will be seen by appointment only, and appointments are made following a physician referral. Additionally, a positive COVID-19 test result is required. Full instructions will be given with each appointment. Please speak with your healthcare provider for more information.
[1] According to the FDA, individuals for post-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in individuals who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death and are: – not fully vaccinated or who are not expected to mount an adequate immune response to complete SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (for example, individuals with immunocompromising conditions including those taking immunosuppressive medications) and – have been exposed to an individual infected with SARS-CoV-2 consistent with close contact criteria per Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or – who are at high risk of exposure to an individual infected with SARS-CoV-2 because of occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in other individuals in the same institutional settings (for example, nursing homes, prisons) see full FDA Fact Sheet here