Antibody treatment now available in Sask. not a replacement for COVID-19 vaccination, experts say
CBC
Saskatchewan health workers now have another tool available to treat some COVID-19 patients, but health experts and officials are reminding the public that the therapy is not a substitute for vaccination.
Monoclonal antibody treatment is supposed to help keep COVID-19 patients who are unvaccinated or severely immunosuppressed out of Saskatchewan's hospitals, according to a Monday news release from the province.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority is already rolling out the monoclonal antibody injections in Saskatoon and Regina at provincial testing sites.
However, this treatment for COVID-19 patients deemed at-risk for becoming severely ill has limitations.
Monoclonal antibody treatments only work on patients who have no or very low levels of anti-bodies — meaning most vaccinated people wouldn't qualify.
Comparing high COVID-19 transmissions with an icy road, Saskatchewan Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said monoclonal antibodies are like an ambulance that may or may not arrive in time after an accident.
"Vaccines are like the seatbelt, so that if you do get in a crash, they reduce your risk of serious illness or death," he said on Monday.
"Just because you may have an ambulance that could arrive in time doesn't mean you shouldn't put your seatbelt on."
The province also says the treatment should only be used in the early stages of a mild to moderate COVID-19 infection, and within five days of people becoming symptomatic.
The province has been providing information about the newly available treatment through social media and other channels.
But one health policy advisor thinks that might send the wrong message.
"I'm surprised at … our government getting into the business of recommending a particular line of treatment," said Dennis Kendel, a retired doctor and health policy advisor from Saskatoon.
The treatment "is a very limited option in medically indicated circumstances.... It isn't something that, you know, everybody's going to be able to get."
There is a risk that promoting the treatment might give some people the idea that they don't need to get vaccinated, said Kendel.
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