Early Treatment for COVID-19 and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis with Monoclonal Antibodies are available at the Monoclonal Antibody Regional Centers (MARCs)

What are Monoclonal Antibodies?

Monoclonal antibodies are proteins made in a lab that help boost the immune system to fight viruses. Monoclonal antibodies have been shown in clinical trials to reduce COVID-19-related hospitalizations and emergency room visits.

The monoclonal antibody combination treatment  has been authorized for emergency use by the FDA to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg) with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, and who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. Treatment should be given within 10 days of symptom onset.

The monoclonal antibody combination treatment made by Regeneron, REGEN-COV, has also been authorized for emergency use by the FDA to help prevent persons from developing COVID-19 after they have been exposed to someone who is contagious with COVD-19. This is called post-exposure prophylaxis.

Monoclonal antibodies will be provided at no cost to medically eligible individuals regardless of health insurance or immigration status. 

Who Qualifies?

• Persons who tested positive for COVID-19, whether or not they are vaccinated, may be eligible for treatment within 10 days of symptom onset. 
• Persons who have been exposed to a SARS-CoV-2 infected person and are not fully vaccinated or are not expected to have an adequate immune response are eligible for post-exposure prophylaxis.

How?

• Health Providers
  • To refer patients who meet FDA’s EUA criteria, call (619) 685-2500 to schedule your patient’s appointment at the MARC.
  • Please provide your patient with the FDA monoclonal antibody EUA Fact Sheet for Patients, Parents and Caregivers (Spanish) to bring to his or her appointment. 
  • Patients must wear a mask to their appointment.
    
• Patients
  • If you think that you are medically eligible (Spanish), call your primary care provider or healthcare system to request an appointment for monoclonal antibody therapy. 
  • If your primary care provider or healthcare system does not have monoclonal antibody therapy available, call (619) 685-2500 to ask questions or to schedule an appointment at the MARC. A provider referral is not required. 
  • Patients must wear a mask to their appointment.
    
• Skilled Nursing Facilities 
  • If your skilled nursing facility is interested in monoclonal antibody treatment, contact the Mobile Monoclonal Antibody Administration Team at mcsdnursingmabinfusion.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov.
    

Where?

• MARC at Vista Community Clinic
  • Treatment site in Vista open Tuesday through Friday 
• MARC at Clairemont Friendship Center
  
  • Treatment and post-exposure prophylaxis site in Clairemont open Monday through Saturday
    
• Family Health Centers of San Diego
  • Treatment sites in Hillcrest and Chula Vista open Monday through Friday

Additional Resources

• Fact Sheets & Other Documents
  • Fact Sheets
    • Health Care Providers
    • Patients, Parents and Caregivers (Spanish)
  • Other Documents
    • Frequently Asked Questions on the EUA of Casirivimab and Imdevimab 
      
    • NIH Statement on Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Monoclonal Antibodies EUA
• Promotional Resources
  • Patient Flyer (English / Spanish)
  • Provider Flyer
    • Messaging Tips for Providers for Monoclonal Antibody Treatment (post COVID-19 positive test result)
    • Messaging Tips for Providers for Monoclonal Antibody Therapy for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (post close contact exposure)
      
  • Promotional video (Spanish)
• Transportation
  • Medi-Cal Health Plan Contact Card
  • Medi-Cal Transportation FAQs

Questions? Email  COVIDtreatment@sdcounty.ca.gov