Health First Provides COVID-19 Treatment for Non-Hospitalized Patients Soon after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the emergency use of Bamlanivimab for the treatment of COVID-19 under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), Health First began offering the monoclonal antibody therapy. This intravenous (IV) treatment is designed for symptomatic COVID-19 patients who are not sick enough to require inpatient hospital treatment. The treatment decreases the number of people who subsequently require a visit to the Emergency Department or hospitalization for COVID-19 by two-thirds.

The authorized dosage for Bamlanivimab is a single 60-minute IV infusion, administered as soon as possible after a positive viral test for SARS-CoV-2 and within 10 days of the onset of symptoms. Patients must be monitored during infusion and observed for at least one-hour after the infusion is completed for infusion-related reactions.

Therapy may be indicated for patients in the following categories:

• Patients who are 65 years of age or older
• Patients who are 55 years of age or older AND have one of the following: cardiovascular disease; hypertension; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; or other chronic respiratory disease
• Patients 18 years or older who have one of the following: a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or greater; diabetes; chronic kidney disease; immunosuppressive disease; or are currently receiving immunosuppressive treatment
• Are 12 to 17 years of age AND have one of the following: BMI in the 85th percentile or greater for their age and gender, based on the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) growth charts1; sickle cell disease; congenital or acquired heart disease; neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., cerebral palsy); a medical-related technological dependence (e.g., tracheostomy, gastrostomy or positive pressure ventilation) not due to COVID-19, asthma, reactive airway or other chronic respiratory disease that requires daily medication for control

Treatment is NOT authorized for patients:

• Who do not have the risk factors outlined above
• Who are hospitalized due to COVID-19
• Who require oxygen therapy due to COVID-19
• Who requires an increase in baseline oxygen flow rate due to COVID-19 in those on chronic oxygen therapy due to underlying non-COVID-19 related comorbidity?

Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made versions of proteins naturally produced by the immune system in response to invading viruses or other pathogens. Neutralizing antibodies can bind directly to portions of viruses they use to attach to and enter cells, preventing them from initiating the infection cycle.

Please contact your physician with any questions (as they would determine if this treatment is appropriate for you) or call our Centralized Scheduling Department at 321.434.3131 for a virtual visit.