Limited Infusion Therapy for Omicron

UNC Health Pardee has received a limited supply of therapeutic antibodies known as Sotrovimab, the only monoclonal antibody mAb therapy that has significant activity against the Omicron variant. Even though there is no way of verifying variant status at a local level, it is now believed that the majority of current COVID cases are the result of the highly contagious Omicron variant.

The entire western North Carolina region received very limited supply, with no guarantee of future availability. In an effort to manage this very limited supply, criteria for eligibility has been dramatically curtailed.

The other two mAb which were in use (BAM/Ete and REGEN-CoV) are no longer allocated by the federal government due to their inactivity against Omicron. Therefore, Sotrovimab will only be offered initially to a small number of very high-risk patients, and BAM/Ete and REGEN-CoV will not be offered. Sotrovimab allocation moving forward is unknown at this time, and will depend on drug availability to the state as allocated by the federal government. It is possible that on any given day, Sotrovimab will not be available. Learn more.

Patient eligibility for Sotrovimab

Inclusion criteria have been defined by the state. All criteria must be met, no exceptions. Treatments will be provided only by provider referral and dependent upon availability.

  • Confirmed COVID-19 infection
  • 1 or more mild-to-moderate COVID-19 symptoms
  • Infused within 10 days of symptom onset
  • Not hospitalized
  • Not receiving supplemental O2
  • ≥12 years of age and ≥40 kg
  • Meets at least one of the following high-risk criteria:
  • Age ≥ 80 years, regardless of vaccine status
  • Age ≥ 70 years and unvaccinated
  • BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2 and unvaccinated
  • Severe chronic lung disease, regardless of vaccine status.
  • Severe immune compromise, regardless of vaccine status.

Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Clinic Closed Dec. 24

UNC Health Pardee is no longer offering Monoclonal Antibody infusion therapy (also known as REGEN-COV or Regeneron) for COVID-19. In response to an increase in cases as a result of the Omicron variant, a lack of effective monoclonal antibody treatments for this new variant, and supply issues nationally, UNC Health Pardee has ceased operating its infusion clinic, effective Friday, Dec. 24. While the monoclonal antibody treatments previously available for infusions have been highly effective at treating COVID and the most recent variants, they are not as effective at treating the new Omicron-driven COVID cases. Learn more.

What Are Monoclonal Antibodies?

Antibodies are part of our natural defense against viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. But they take time for the body to make. Antibodies designed to attack COVID-19 have been developed, and in several studies have been shown to reduce the risk of progressing to severe COVID-19 and hospitalization when given early to people who test positive for COVID-19. This therapy is given as an infusion through an IV at a dedicated location at the hospital.