The Province of Saskatchewan is now making monoclonal antibody treatments available for appropriate patients that have contracted COVID-19. 

Monoclonal antibodies can be used as early treatment for mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms for those unvaccinated or considered at-risk for progression to severe illness that would require hospitalization. 

“Monoclonal antibody treatment is a one-time treatment delivered intravenously,” said Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency president Marlo Pritchard.  

“These treatments will be available in Saskatoon and Regina only through existing testing and treatment sites, or at least at this time. These locations are currently staffed and supplied to safely manage COVID-19 patients.”  

The treatment can also be used in preventing severe illness for those with weakened immune systems where the COVID-19 vaccines doesn’t respond. 

The treating clinician will make the decision to prescribe monoclonal antibodies based on the following criteria: 

  • For COVID-19 patients who have not been vaccinated; and certain immunocompromised or immunosuppressed COVID-19 patients regardless of vaccination status; 
  • Within five days of becoming symptomatic; and 
  • 55 years or older, or 18 years and older with specific high-risk co-morbidity. 

Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said that this does not replace vaccines and made the analogy of a car accident, saying that the vaccines are your seatbelts, while monoclonal antibodies is the ambulance. 

“Monoclones are a specific tool that may help in certain specific circumstances. You have to meet the criteria, it has to be given in time, you shouldn't already have progressed to a stage where they're not helpful. So, there's a lot of ifs there,” Shahab said. 

You cannot self-refer to an assessment site to receive monoclonal antibody treatment; you must be referred based on the eligibility criteria.