JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A new version of a monoclonal antibody treatment is being offered in Northeast Florida.
The drug Evusheld has received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration. It’s a preventative monoclonal antibody treatment that’s given to immunocompromised people, reducing their risk of contracting COVID-19.
Some people are worried about their options after the FDA revoked authorization for the monoclonal antibody treatment Regeneron.
RELATED: FDA halts use of antibody drugs that don’t work vs. omicron
“I am a firm believer it has made the difference of me getting where I am right now versus a week ago,” said Wendy Leffingwell, who received the Regeneron treatment.
Leffingwell said she’s vaccinated and boosted, but still contracted COVID-19. She got the Regeneron treatment just days before the emergency use authorization was pulled.
She and dozens of other News4JAXviewers say they’re disappointed this option was taken away.
Evusheld was made for those who are notably immunocompromised, in other high-risk categories, or who can’t get the vaccine. It’s offered at Crucial Care on Baymeadows Road.
Dr. Nicholas Dodaro is the chief medical officer at Crucial Care and explained how this is different from other antibody treatments.
“Evusheld seems to have the best activity with someone who is trying not to get ill with COVID. So they use it as a prevention for getting COVID as opposed to a treatment for when you have COVID,” Dodaro said.
He said they’ve been administering the drug for about two to three weeks now.
According to the FDA, one dose of Evusheld consists of two separate injections. After the initial dose, if your health care provider determines that you need to receive additional doses of Evusheld for ongoing protection, the additional doses would be administered once every six months.
Dodaro said the treatment is in high demand.
“We’ve had folks come from Tampa, folks come from Georgia, we’ve had people drive for this,” he said. “I think people are trying to understand the options, and it is getting a little confusing sometimes. Things are evolving and we’re trying our best to educate folks when they come in to understand all the CDC recommendations, which also are evolving and to really guide people to the right option for them.”
Though this is a preventative drug for high-risk groups, Dodaro says vaccines and boosters are still the best preventative measures – if you can get them.
LINKS: More information about Evusheld | Florida Health: Treatment locator tool