Early treatment for COVID-19 is available at the Monoclonal Antibody Regional Centers (MARC)

What are Monoclonal Antibodies?

Monoclonal antibodies are proteins made in a lab that help boost the immune system to fight viruses. The monoclonal antibody combination treatments of bamlanivimab plus etesevimab from Eli Lilly and casirivimab plus imdevimab from Regeneron have been authorized for emergency use by FDA to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg / 88 lbs.) with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) viral testing, and who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. They have been shown in clinical trials (bamlanivimab/etesevimab | casirivimab/imdevimab) to reduce COVID-19-related hospitalization and emergency room visits.

Who Qualifies?

• Medically eligible (bamlanivimab/etesevimab | casirivimab/imdevimab), symptomatic COVID-19 positive patients whose COVID-19 symptoms have developed within the last 10 days
• Treatment will be provided at no cost to all medically eligible individuals who live or work in California, regardless of health insurance or immigration status

How?

• Health Providers
  • To refer patients who meet FDA’s EUA criteria for the combination of bamlanivimab plus etesevimab or casirivimab plus imdevimab, health professionals or their delegated medical staff should complete the referral form (using Chrome, Firefox, or Safari) and either call (619) 685-2500 or fax the completed form to (760) 739-2851 for the MARC at Palomar Health or to (619)785-3293 for the MARC at San Ysidro Health to schedule a patient’s appointment. 
  • Please provide your patient with the FDA monoclonal antibody EUA Fact Sheet for Patients, Parents and Caregivers for the combination of bamlanivimab plus etesevimab (Spanish) and casirivimab plus imdevimab (Spanish) as well as a completed copy of the referral form (if available) to bring to his or her appointment. Patients must wear a mask.
  • View the MARC Referral Messaging Tips for Providers for easy ways to encourage patients to receive monoclonal antibody treatment. 
• Patients
  • If you think that you or a loved one is medically eligible ( bamlanivimab/etesevimab (Spanish) | casirivimab/imdevimab (Spanish)) to receive monoclonal antibody treatment, call (619) 685-2500 to ask questions or to schedule an appointment. Patients must wear a mask.

Where?

• MARC at Palomar Medical Center Downtown
  • Open 7 days a week from 8:00am to 8:00pm
  • Palomar Medical Center Downtown at 555 East Valley Parkway in Escondido
• MARC at San Ysidro Health
  • Open 7 days a week from 8:00am to 5:00pm
  • Former Chula Vista Fire Station #5 at 391 Oxford St. in Chula Vista

Additional Resources

• Fact Sheets & Other Documents
  • Fact Sheets
    • Health Care Providers
      • Bamlanivimab plus Etesevimab
      • Casirivimab plus Imdevimab
    • Patients, Parents and Caregivers
      • Bamlanivimab plus Etesevimab (Spanish) 
      • Casirivimab plus Imdevimab (Spanish)
  • Other Documents
    • NIH Statement on Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Monoclonal Antibodies EUA
• Promotional Resources
  • Patient Flyer (Spanish)
  • Provider Flyer
    • MARC Referral Messaging Tips for Providers
  • Promotional video (Spanish)
• Transportation
  • Medi-Cal Health Plan Contact Card
  • Medi-Cal Transportation FAQs

Questions? Email  COVIDtreatment@sdcounty.ca.gov