With limited monoclonal antibody supply, Bartlett Regional Hospital implements prioritization criteria

Due to a limited supply of monoclonal antibody therapeutics nationwide and Juneau’s rapidly increasing COVID-19 case count, Bartlett Regional Hospital is implementing strict criteria for therapy administration. Criteria includes: individuals with immunocompromising conditions, such as active cancer patients for tumor or blood cancers, those who have received a solid organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system, and others. Also included for prioritization are unvaccinated individuals who are pregnant, over 75, or over 65 with certain risk factors.

Monoclonal antibody therapy is a safe and effective treatment that helps prevent severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19. Bartlett Regional Hospital has been administering this therapy since January 2021. The latest criteria for therapy administration is based on draft recommendations of the statewide Crisis Care Committee for the distribution of the type of monoclonal antibody that is effective against the Omicron variant.

Antibody therapy is beneficial only in newly infected patients. If you think you or someone you know may meet criteria for monoclonal antibody therapy, contact your primary care provider for referral to BRH’s onsite monoclonal antibody clinic. Community members without a primary care provider can contact BRH at 907-796-8900 for more information.

The supply of COVID-19 therapeutics is an evolving situation. Bartlett Regional Hospital and the City and Borough of Juneau Emergency Operations Center will continue to monitor supply and expand eligibility criteria as supply increases.

For more information, contact [email protected].