The Indiana Department of Health’s LTC Medical Director, Dr. Vuppalanchi, provided a reminder on the distribution and use of monoclonal antibody treatments. Please see below for Dr. Vuppalanchi’s article:
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) transitioned from the direct ordering process for MAB to a state-coordinated distribution system, similar to that used from November 2020 to February 2021.
LTC facilities or pharmacies with capability to provide monoclonal antibody (MAB), please complete this REDCap survey to be added to the Indiana Department of Health’s monoclonal antibody therapeutics distribution list.
This survey collects information required by AmerisourceBergen to pre-register facilities. A state pharmacy license number or letter of authorization (LOA) is required to register with AmerisourceBergen. If your facility does not have a state pharmacy license number, please complete the blank LOA form embedded in the survey and upload the completed form.
Facilities added to the distribution list will be sent a unique link each week to request MAB. Please make sure to fill out the request by the Wednesday deadline each week. Allocations will be determined based on the state’s weekly allocation from HHS.
Facilities and pharmacies that do not have the capability to administer MAB onsite should please use the National Infusion Center Association COVID-19 locator tool (not compatible with Internet Explorer) to find a location that can administer.
MAB in treatment of confirmed COVID-19:
Monoclonal antibody therapy (MAB) can be helpful to prevent clinical deterioration and hospitalization in confirmed COVID-19 cases. MAB therapy is available under emergency use authorization for those who meet ALL the following criteria:
- Mild to moderate confirmed COVID-19 infection
- Symptom onset within the last 10 days
- Elderly or those at high risk for progression/hospitalization
- Not needing oxygen OR no increase in oxygen requirement compared to baseline
- Not hospitalized.
MAB for Post Exposure prophylaxis:
MAB is authorized for post exposure prophylaxis
- In adult and pediatric individuals (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg) for post-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in individuals who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death; AND
- Are not fully vaccinated or who are not expected to mount an adequate immune response to complete SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (for example, individuals with immunocompromising conditions, including those taking immunosuppressive medications); AND
- Have been exposed to an individual infected with SARS-CoV-2 consistent with close contact criteria per CDC; or
- Who are at high risk of exposure to an individual infected with SARS-CoV-2 because of occurrence of COVID-19 infection in other individuals in the same institutional setting (for example, nursing homes or prisons)
Additional information and resources on MAB can be found in the Toolkit for LTC Medical Directors. Contact Dr. Shireesha Vuppalanchi at svuppalanchi@isdh.in.gov.