Ferris, Ellis County open Antibody Therapy Center

FERRIS – The City of Ferris and Ellis County introduced a non-vaccine option earlier this month for residents who find themselves afflicted with COVID-19.

It is an option some are calling “an alternative option to the vaccine.”

According to WebMD.com on Aug. 26 it reported, “The FDA authorized monoclonal antibody drugs from the companies Regeneron and Eli Lilly in November 2020, but only recently have they attracted more attention as the Delta variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 surges across the U.S.

Clinical trials show Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody treatment, a combination of two antibodies called casirivimab and imdevimab, reduces COVID-19-related hospitalization or deaths in high-risk patients by about 70 percent.

And when given to an exposed person – like someone living with an infected person – monoclonal antibodies reduced their risk of developing an infection with symptoms by 80 percent.”

Ferris City Manager Brooks Williams stated in  a media release, “These infusions have demonstrated that they reduce the risk of hospitalization… and “more notably, some estimates indicate that infusions potentially save the lives of 10 percent of the patients who receive them.”

For those not familiar with the infusion process it takes about one hour, and after receiving an infusion, patients are normally symptom-free within 48 hours.

Ellis County Judge Todd Little, who had his own bout with COVID-19 within the last few months said, “I can personally attest to the effectiveness of antibody infusion. My wife and I both recently contracted COVID, and I can tell you it was far worse than the flu.

“I suffered severe symptoms for about six days, but within one day of receiving the antibody infusions, I was feeling better.

“Many of my colleagues have also had the same positive experience with the infusions.

“I believe wholeheartedly that this is a treatment option that can help save lives.”

Ferris began operating the therapy center on Sept. 13 in part with an eye toward helping reduce the number of COVID-19 patients in the county’s ICU beds.

Moving forward, operating and staffing costs will be split 50/50 between the City of Ferris and Ellis County.

In the past, Regeneron infusions were administered through a drip I.V. Now, patients can receive antibodies through a series of smaller injections, making the process much more pleasant for the patient. The Regeneron antibody treatment process has been authorized by the FDA under the same emergency use guidelines as COVID-19 vaccinations, although the Ellis County media release states “it is not intended to be a preventative substitute for vaccination. Only individuals who are currently infected with COVID-19 are eligible to receive antibody infusions. Free COVID testing is available at the therapy center for those suffering symptoms and wishing to receive treatment.”

The antibody therapy center is located at the Ferris Scout House at 514 Mable Street in Ferris and is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Nov. 15. It is staffed by nurses from MDLab, a Rockwall-based mobile healthcare workforce that specializes in immunization and therapeutics. Anyone who has been diagnosed with or has exhibited symptoms of COVID-19 within the last 10 days may sign up to receive treatment at mdlabtx.com. Walk-ins are also welcome, but preference will be given to Ellis County residents if slots are limited. Prescriptions and medical insurance are not required.

As of Wednesday, September 22, the infusion center had treated at least 375 patients.

“This therapy center could help us dramatically reduce our ICU bed count,” Little concluded. “We want to help out our hospitals and healthcare professionals as much as possible by keeping COVID patients out of the hospital, and we want our citizens to have access to all viable treatment options. This therapy center has the potential to become a turning point for our community as we navigate through this wave of the pandemic.”