Case Rates and Monoclonal Antibody Therapy
Season 1, Episode 17, Sep 24, 2021, 11:25 PM
Share
Subscribe
Q1: How are COVID-19 cases increasing among children?
A1: Pediatric COVID-19 cases have surged since July 2021. Black children's case rate is triple that of white or Asian children, and even higher for Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native children. Of 36,080 statewide pediatric cases, 1,104 were among Black children. Over half were symptomatic, 1% hospitalized, and over a third were due to household contact.Q2: How do those rates compare to adults?
A2: Statewide, there have been over 290,000 COVID-19 cases across all ages. The case rate for Black individuals (adults and children) is double that of white individuals, and nearly triple for Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native individuals. Hospitalization rates were 8% for Black individuals (7,012 cases) and 7% for white individuals.Q3: What is being done to address disparities?
A3: OHA partners with community organizations, public health authorities, coordinated care organizations, and clinics to promote vaccination in disproportionately affected communities. Funding supports vaccination outreach, including to farmworkers. OHA also collaborates with federal partners on regional efforts for migrant farmworkers. Other initiatives include FEMA Mobile Vaccine Units, state planning, public vaccination data, and a vaccine webpage/communications campaign. For access issues or complaints, call 211.Q4: Are there treatments to reduce hospitalization risk?
A4: Yes, monoclonal antibody therapies can prevent severe illness and save lives. These lab-developed antibodies attach to the COVID-19 virus, preventing it from entering cells. This effective treatment is for high-risk individuals aged 12 and older with mild to moderate COVID-19 (reducing hospitalization risk by 70%), and as prevention for high-risk individuals exposed to or unable to gain immunity from vaccines (reducing symptomatic disease risk by 81%). It's most effective within 10 days of a positive test and can help mitigate disproportionate hospitalization rates in Oregon’s Black, Latina/o/x, and Tribal communities.Q5: Are these communities accessing this treatment now?
A5: OHA is working on equitable distribution, but it's not currently the case. For example, OHSU treated 90 patients since May 2021: 64 white, 3 Black/African American (currently with highest hospitalization rates), 2 American Indian/Alaskan Native, 1 Asian, and 20 other/unspecified.Q6: How does it work?
A6: Monoclonal antibodies can be administered via intravenous infusion (into a vein) or subcutaneous injection (into the fatty layer of skin). These lab-developed antibodies attach to the COVID-19 virus, preventing it from entering your cells.Q7: Who qualifies for this treatment?
A7: This treatment is recommended for those at increased risk of severe COVID-19, including but not limited to individuals with: Age, Obesity, Diabetes, Chronic lung/kidney/cardiovascular disease, Pregnancy, Sickle cell disease, Neurodevelopmental disease, and Dependence on medical technologies. Race and ethnicity are also associated with increased risk due to longstanding societal injustices, making patients of color or from Tribal communities more vulnerable to severe outcomes.Q8: How can we ensure the Black community is aware of this treatment?
A8: The injectable form of monoclonal antibodies is new, making it more widely available. Pharmacists can now provide a specific product after training, and healthcare providers can administer it in their offices. The most urgent need is sharing this information with communities, especially the Black community.Q9: Would it also help to share this information with our providers?
A9: Definitely. Not all providers may know about the injectable form. Ask your provider if they offer or plan to order this treatment if you think you qualify.
A1: Pediatric COVID-19 cases have surged since July 2021. Black children's case rate is triple that of white or Asian children, and even higher for Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native children. Of 36,080 statewide pediatric cases, 1,104 were among Black children. Over half were symptomatic, 1% hospitalized, and over a third were due to household contact.Q2: How do those rates compare to adults?
A2: Statewide, there have been over 290,000 COVID-19 cases across all ages. The case rate for Black individuals (adults and children) is double that of white individuals, and nearly triple for Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native individuals. Hospitalization rates were 8% for Black individuals (7,012 cases) and 7% for white individuals.Q3: What is being done to address disparities?
A3: OHA partners with community organizations, public health authorities, coordinated care organizations, and clinics to promote vaccination in disproportionately affected communities. Funding supports vaccination outreach, including to farmworkers. OHA also collaborates with federal partners on regional efforts for migrant farmworkers. Other initiatives include FEMA Mobile Vaccine Units, state planning, public vaccination data, and a vaccine webpage/communications campaign. For access issues or complaints, call 211.Q4: Are there treatments to reduce hospitalization risk?
A4: Yes, monoclonal antibody therapies can prevent severe illness and save lives. These lab-developed antibodies attach to the COVID-19 virus, preventing it from entering cells. This effective treatment is for high-risk individuals aged 12 and older with mild to moderate COVID-19 (reducing hospitalization risk by 70%), and as prevention for high-risk individuals exposed to or unable to gain immunity from vaccines (reducing symptomatic disease risk by 81%). It's most effective within 10 days of a positive test and can help mitigate disproportionate hospitalization rates in Oregon’s Black, Latina/o/x, and Tribal communities.Q5: Are these communities accessing this treatment now?
A5: OHA is working on equitable distribution, but it's not currently the case. For example, OHSU treated 90 patients since May 2021: 64 white, 3 Black/African American (currently with highest hospitalization rates), 2 American Indian/Alaskan Native, 1 Asian, and 20 other/unspecified.Q6: How does it work?
A6: Monoclonal antibodies can be administered via intravenous infusion (into a vein) or subcutaneous injection (into the fatty layer of skin). These lab-developed antibodies attach to the COVID-19 virus, preventing it from entering your cells.Q7: Who qualifies for this treatment?
A7: This treatment is recommended for those at increased risk of severe COVID-19, including but not limited to individuals with: Age, Obesity, Diabetes, Chronic lung/kidney/cardiovascular disease, Pregnancy, Sickle cell disease, Neurodevelopmental disease, and Dependence on medical technologies. Race and ethnicity are also associated with increased risk due to longstanding societal injustices, making patients of color or from Tribal communities more vulnerable to severe outcomes.Q8: How can we ensure the Black community is aware of this treatment?
A8: The injectable form of monoclonal antibodies is new, making it more widely available. Pharmacists can now provide a specific product after training, and healthcare providers can administer it in their offices. The most urgent need is sharing this information with communities, especially the Black community.Q9: Would it also help to share this information with our providers?
A9: Definitely. Not all providers may know about the injectable form. Ask your provider if they offer or plan to order this treatment if you think you qualify.