JACKSONVILLE, Fla. —

On Tuesday, a Regeneron monoclonal antibody treatment site opened at the Downtown Jacksonville Main Library for people (12 and older) who have been exposed to COVID-19 or have recently tested positive for the virus before the onset of serious symptoms.

The treatments mimic antibodies that the immune system generates naturally to fight the coronavirus.

The downtown site will offer free treatment to more than 300 people each day, seven days a week.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals claims the treatment cuts the risk of hospitalization or death by roughly 70% in high-risk patients and can reduce the chance of infection among a patient’s household members by more than 80%.

Cocktails should be administered as soon as possible after diagnosis and within 10 days of symptom onset, according to the treatment guidelines.

In Nov. 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted an emergency use authorization for the antibody cocktail. In Jan. 2021, the U.S. government signed a $450 million contract with Regeneron to make and supply its cocktail for COVID-19.

The doses manufactured under the deal are owned by the federal government and doses are made free to the public.

The company estimated last week that its treatment was now reaching more than a quarter of eligible patients, up from less than 5 percent earlier in the pandemic.

Monoclonal antibody treatment options in Jacksonville

Downtown Jacksonville Main Library | Main Street Entrance

The site is open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | 304 North Main Street

Free parking is available at the library parking garage | 33 West Duval Street

Appointments are not required but patients can register ahead of time at patientportalfl.com.

Crucial Care Jacksonville is providing REGEN-COV monoclonal antibody treatment for qualifying patients who have tested positive for COVID-19. Patients can bring in a doctor referral or a recent COVID-19 test. To determine eligibility you can make an appointment here.

9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. | (904) 854‑7911

11048 Baymeadows Rd, Suite 9 Jacksonville, FL 32256

Ascension St. Vicent’s, through the Florida Department of Health, is offering antibody treatment of mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 at all of its hospitals.

Cost varies by insurance but most of it is covered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The drug combination is administered via a one-time intravenous infusion. Patients will be required to provide a copy of their COVID-19 test results. The infusions will be given Monday through Friday while supplies last.

Visit www.ascension.org for more information.

Mayo Clinic told Action News Jax the hospital does provide monoclonal antibody treatment- however, treatments are only offered to immunocompromised Mayo patients identified with high-risk factors.

To find other monoclonal treatment options in our area click here.

Other state-supported locations

• Orange County – Camping World Stadium, 1 Citrus Bowl Place, Orlando – Open daily 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Brevard County – Kiwanis Island Park, 951 Kiwanis Island Park Road, Merritt Island – Open daily 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Broward County – C.B. Smith Park, 900 North Flamingo Road, Pembroke Pines – Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Hillsborough County – Kings Forest Park, 8008 East Chelsea Street, Tampa – Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Pasco County – Fasano Center, 11611 Denton Avenue, Hudson – Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Volusia County – Ormond Beach Senior and Neighborhood Dining Site, 351 Andrews Street, Ormond Beach – Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• West Palm Beach – West Gate Park, 3691 Oswego Avenue, West Palm Beach – Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To make an appointment at a state site click here.

For a comprehensive list of other monoclonal antibody treatment options in Florida visit floridahealthcovid19.gov.

Frequently asked questions

What is monoclonal antibody therapy?

Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful antigens such as viruses. Sotrovimab is a monoclonal antibody that is specifically directed against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and is designed to block the virus’ attachment and entry into human cells, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

The treatment is not effective for those who’ve already developed severe symptoms or are hospitalized.

How do monoclonal antibodies work?

Monoclonal antibodies help the immune system recognize and respond more effectively to the COVID-19 virus.

Monoclonal antibodies are a treatment authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for use in adult and pediatric patients (12 and older) who have either been diagnosed or exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are at high risk for progression to severe illness, hospitalization, or death from COVID-19.

In clinical trials, this treatment resulted in a 70% reduction in risk for hospitalization and death, and resulted in an 82% reduction in risk for contracting COVID-19 for people who were exposed to the virus [2].

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