Emily
Editor, Senior Moderator
https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/12/...nts-go-unused/
As California’s COVID cases rise, antibody treatments go unused
Instant immunization isn’t getting to the people who need it.
By Lisa M. Krieger | lkrieger@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group
PUBLISHED: December 12, 2021 at 5:50 a.m. | UPDATED: December 14, 2021 at 5:14 a.m.
The number of Californians hospitalized for COVID-19 is once again climbing — even as a powerful treatment goes unused.
Deployment of the free, life-saving monoclonal antibody therapy, which reduces the risk of hospitalization by 80%, has been slowed due to poor communication and administrative coordination, as well as a shortage of facilities equipped to provide the infusion. In some cases, patients may not be aware of the treatment or may be hesitant to use it.
“It’s not getting to people,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, professor of medicine and an infectious disease specialist at UC San Francisco. “We have this tool that we’re not using.”..
As California’s COVID cases rise, antibody treatments go unused
Instant immunization isn’t getting to the people who need it.
By Lisa M. Krieger | lkrieger@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group
PUBLISHED: December 12, 2021 at 5:50 a.m. | UPDATED: December 14, 2021 at 5:14 a.m.
The number of Californians hospitalized for COVID-19 is once again climbing — even as a powerful treatment goes unused.
Deployment of the free, life-saving monoclonal antibody therapy, which reduces the risk of hospitalization by 80%, has been slowed due to poor communication and administrative coordination, as well as a shortage of facilities equipped to provide the infusion. In some cases, patients may not be aware of the treatment or may be hesitant to use it.
“It’s not getting to people,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, professor of medicine and an infectious disease specialist at UC San Francisco. “We have this tool that we’re not using.”..
