New Infusion provided to help battle COVID-19

Posted

In an effort to prevent COVID-19 hospital admissions, Emanuel Medical center is now offering a cutting
edge monoclonal immunotherapy infusion. Bamlanivimab, or BAM, is approved for high risk COVID-19
positive patients with mild to moderate symptoms.
The laboratory-made antibody mimics a naturally occurring one, which is known to fight off the virus
that causes COVID-19.
BAM is a monoclonal antibody, and antibodies are protein molecules our body makes to fight attackers
throughout our bodies. This antibody that we know fights the COVID virus, and is able to reproduce it in
the lab and then use it to treat patients as though they made the antibody themselves.
BAM is now being administered in our specially designated outpatient infusion site. Patients who qualify
for BAM have been found to be at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness, and might need hospitalization if
untreated.
BAM is most effective when given early, and needs to be administered within 10 days of the onset of
symptoms. BAM is not intended for routine use in the management of COVID-19, and is not approved
for hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Qualifying patients need to be at least 12 years old and weigh 88 pounds. Adult patients must be 65 or

older or have another risk factor, including:
Body mass index (BMI) greater than 35
Chronic kidney disease
Diabetes
Immunosuppressive disease
Immunosuppressive treatment
Patients 55 and older with heart disease, lung disease or who are undergoing immunosuppressive
treatment also qualify for BAM. The qualifications for pediatric COVID-19 patients over the age of 12
include:
Body mass index (BMI) above the 85th percentile for age
Sickle cell disease
Cardiovascular disease
Neurodevelopmental disease
Use of a medical dependent device
If you are COVID-19 positive and want to know if BAM is available to you, contact your primary care
physician.