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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Over the course of the last week and a half, Governor Ron DeSantis has traveled the state increasing awareness for and access to a life-saving treatment for COVID-19: monoclonal antibodies. Patients, family members, and doctors alike are praising the effort to expand access to this effective therapy free of charge for Floridians.
Here is what they are saying …
Renee Post, a resident of Plantation, said, “My mom is at very high risk for COVID because she has diabetes, hypertension, neuropathy, and many other health problems. She has been unable to get vaccinated due to health issues that she has been suffering through over the past year. In other words, she was the prime target for COVID. When she contracted the virus last week, we feared the worst. Fortunately, I remembered hearing about monoclonal antibodies on the news just a few days earlier. We got my mom the treatment and she has recovered. She never even had a fever, just a stuffy nose. Thank you Governor DeSantis for making sure we knew about this life-saving treatment.”
Bob Snyder, Flagler County Health Officer, said, “It is absolutely vital that we continue expanding access to this lifesaving treatment, which works hand in hand with vaccination. I received monoclonal antibody therapy within 24 hours of testing positive for COVID-19 and was fully recovered within 48 hours of the treatment. Not only do I support the Governor’s mission to expand awareness of this treatment as a health officer, but as a patient as well. Thank you to the State of Florida and health care workers statewide for developing such an innovative solution to increasing access to monoclonal antibody therapy.”
Dr. Samuel L. Jacobs, physician at the Florida Department of Health in Broward County, said, “The State’s monoclonal antibody sites increase access to this treatment in communities across Florida. Had I not received monoclonal antibodies myself when I tested positive for COVID, it could have been much worse. I had received my first dose of the vaccine prior to contracting COVID and I think the monoclonal antibody treatment saved my life and I’m very grateful. If someone tests positive for COVID and especially if they’re having symptoms, I strongly stress the importance of getting monoclonal antibodies basically as a life-saving measure.”
Alexandra Levine, whose grandfather lives in a long-term care facility in Sarasota, said, “My grandfather, who is fully vaccinated, recently tested positive for COVID-19. I was immediately concerned because he is nearly 99 years old. After insisting on additional treatment for his symptoms only to see his condition worsen and care delayed, we reached out to Governor DeSantis’ office. The Governor was informing the public about Regeneron, a monoclonal antibody therapy, and we knew my grandfather would benefit from this treatment. Within 24 hours, the Florida Department of Health contacted us and deployed a monoclonal antibody strike team into my grandfather’s rehabilitation center to administer the treatment. Not only did they give my grandfather the treatment, but several other residents of the facility received it as well. Our family is so grateful to Governor DeSantis for saving his life.”
Lynn Novick, a resident of Louisiana, said, “I am a 71-year-old woman with an underlying health condition, and I recently contracted COVID. Although I live in Louisiana, my son lives in Florida, and he told me that Governor DeSantis has been talking about these monoclonal antibody treatments that can help keep you out of the hospital. Because I saw how successful this treatment has been in Florida, I found a facility that was offering it near where I live. If Governor DeSantis hadn’t been informing people about this treatment, I might have ended up in the hospital, or worse. I want to thank Governor DeSantis for saving my life.”
Bob Sosnowski, a resident of Lake Worth, said, “I was living in New Jersey — the state with the highest death rate in the country — at the time I contracted COVID. I didn’t want to become a part of that statistic, so I got monoclonal antibodies which saved my life. I have since moved to Florida and I am so glad to see Governor DeSantis talking about this life-saving therapeutic and making it increasingly easy for Floridians to access it.”
To find locations to receive monoclonal antibody treatments around the entire state, please visit floridahealthcovid19.gov.
Monoclonal antibody treatments can be prescribed by health care providers to individuals 12 years of age and older who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are at high risk for severe illness and hospitalization. However, at Governor DeSantis’ direction, there is currently a standing order in Florida signed by the State Surgeon General that allows patients to receive this treatment without a prescription or referral if administered by an eligible health care provider. Such referrals are not required at any of the State of Florida monoclonal antibody treatment sites and treatments are available at no cost to patients.
The antibodies help the immune system recognize and respond effectively to the virus. According to the treatment guidelines, they should be administered as soon as possible after diagnosis. By providing access to these treatments at these new sites, Governor DeSantis is alleviating demand on hospital resources and further making sure that Floridians have access to all potential treatments that can help them recover from COVID-19.
Governor DeSantis and the Florida Department of Health continue to encourage Floridians to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Find out where the vaccine is offered HERE.
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