For those with insurance, the full treatment should be covered. However, those without insurance should check with the facility on the estimated cost of the infusion.
Currently, the antibody treatment is not eligible for everyone. While vaccines are now widely available, antibody treatments are not as accessible for everyone. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, only those who have tested positive for COVID and are at high-risk of getting severe symptoms are eligible for the treatment.
Side Effects
The COVID antibody treatment specifically targets the immune system. Thus, side effects are to be expected. Some of the reported side effects of the most common treatments are similar to the COVID vaccine: fever, nausea, chills, fatigue, and headache.
In more severe cases, patients may experience chest pain, dizziness, rashes, or anaphylaxis. All patients are observed for at least one hour after their antibody infusion in order to monitor symptoms. If patients are feeling these side effects during their infusion, they should immediately inform their healthcare professional and possibly slow down the treatment.
CHECK THIS: Common COVID Vaccine Side Effect Complaints
Effectiveness
The COVID antibody treatment has been proven to be effective in preventing hospitalizations and deaths from COVID. In the clinical trial for the two most common treatments, those with the placebo were hospitalized at a higher rate than those who received the antibody treatment.
Doctors have found that the benefits of the antibody treatment outweigh the risks. The reported side effects of the treatment do not compare to the alternative – hospitalization, ventilators, or even death.
The antibody treatment has also been effective in freeing up hospital beds and healthcare professionals. Be sure to discuss with your doctor about the possible side effects that can come with the treatment and weigh those against the effectiveness of the treatment overall.
Patients at a higher risk of suffering severe symptoms of COVID should seriously consider the COVID antibody treatment. If you have contracted COVID and have underlying conditions, contact your healthcare professional to determine your eligibility for the antibody treatment.