Monoclonal Antibodies

Your body naturally makes antibodies to fight infection. However, your body may not have antibodies designed to recognize a novel (or new) virus like SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

What is a Monoclonal Antibody (mAb)?

Monoclonal antibodies, or mAbs, are made in a laboratory to fight a particular infection (in this case, SARS-CoV-2) and are given to you directly in an infusion. So the mAb treatment may help if you are at high risk for serious symptoms or a hospital stay.

A mAb treatment for COVID-19 is different from a COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine triggers your body’s natural immune response, but this can take weeks to develop enough antibodies against a virus. So if you have the virus, the mAb treatment gives your body the antibodies it needs to protect itself.

The mAb treatment does not replace the need for the immunity from the vaccine but it can help you if you are at risk for developing serious COVID-19.

How Does Monoclonal Antibodies Work?

If you have had symptoms or tested positive for 10 days or less or have been in close contact with someone who has recently tested positive, you should be referred for treatment by your healthcare professional or visit our Urgent Care. If you do not have a healthcare provider, you should be seen at our Urgent Care to talk with about your symptoms and treatment.