The RMH administers new COVID-19 treatment

Several 'at risk' COVID-19 patients on the RMH’s infectious diseases ward were given the monoclonal antibody therapy on Monday 30 August 2021, after the drug was approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) on 20 August.

“This treatment represents a major advance to protect our patients with pre-existing health conditions from becoming severely unwell,” says RMH director of the Victorian Infectious Diseases Service Professor James McCarthy. “Sotrovimab for the first time gives us a treatment that significantly reduces the risk of hospitalisation in high risk patients with early COVID-19 infection.”

The treatment will be targeted in unvaccinated adults aged over 55 years or who have high risk factors such as kidney, lung or cardiac disease.

“The drug must be administered within the first five days of the patient developing symptoms, so this is another reason to get a test if you have symptoms.

“The clinical trial showed that it reduces the risk of being admitted to hospital by over 80 percent," Prof McCarthy added.

Sotrovimab is administered through an intravenous (IV) drip over a 30 minute period.

Australia was the first country to formally approve Sotrovimab for COVID-19 treatment. The United States, Canada and Singapore have only issued emergency use approval.

“Vaccination remains the safest way for all Victorians to protect themselves and their loved ones against COVID-19. Both vaccines are free, safe and effective,” Prof McCarthy said.