News

Actions

Antibody treatment available for vulnerable COVID population

Posted at 11:07 PM, Jan 11, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-12 00:07:38-05

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Seniors in Tennessee who test positive for COVID could be in line for one of the same treatments given to President Trump to fight the virus.

Governor Lee is asking seniors who get the coronavirus to talk to their doctors about monoclonal antibodies -- a drug that can help keep someone who's high risk out of the hospital if taken early enough.

Lee told reporters last week the antibodies are available and effective especially for people over 65 with underlying health conditions, but many people don't ask their doctors about the antibody treatment, which is not a vaccine, or something you would get before testing positive for COVID.

Medical experts say it's important to get the antibodies as soon as possible after a positive test.

Doctors say the infusion takes about an hour, with another hour of observation in an outpatient facility.