Augusta Health pivots to aggressive outpatient treatment with monoclonal antibody infusions

Monique Calello, Staunton News Leader
·5 min read
Monoclonal antibody drugs are seen at the Antibody Infusion Clinic at Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Friday, January 29, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.
Monoclonal antibody drugs are seen at the Antibody Infusion Clinic at Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Friday, January 29, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.

FISHERSVILLE — Augusta Health and Central Shenandoah Health District continue to experience a "very high level of COVID-19 activity," according to an update from the hospital system.

Testing positivity rate for the week of Jan. 9-15 was 46%.

Current inpatient COVID-19 census is 57, with five deaths in the last week.

It was again a busy weekend at Augusta Health testing sites with 101 positives reported Sunday morning, 198 positives reported Saturday morning and 156 positives reported Friday morning.

109 new positive cases of COVID were diagnosed at Augusta Health testing sites by Monday morning, Jan. 17.

Monoclonal antibody infusions

Augusta Health is working to pivot its clinical COVID focus to aggressive outpatient management, according to an update. The hospital system is treating infected patients who meet criteria with Monoclonal Antibody infusions (MABS) when supplies are available.

MABS infusion follows a positive COVID test and a physician referral.

Last week, Augusta Health's MABS clinic infused 122 patients for a total of 877 patients since the clinic was opened.

Less than 5% of those who receive a MABS infusion need to be hospitalized after treatment.

"Please vaccinate, wear masks indoors even if vaccinated, wash hands frequently and stay socially distant from others when possible," said Augusta Health. "Vaccination is the most effective way to reduce spread of COVID and to protect yourself from severe COVID that requires hospitalization."

More: Augusta Health warning: 'Please vaccinate.' ICU, Respiratory Care units near capacity

Augusta Health vaccine clinics

Augusta Health is vaccinating everyone age 5 and older who lives, works or goes to school in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are authorized for individuals age 18 and over. Pfizer vaccine is authorized for individuals age 5 and older; a parent or legal guardian must be present to consent to vaccination of those under the age of 18. Booster criteria vary by vaccine, so please be aware of the criteria for the vaccine selected.

Augusta Health is vaccinating everyone 5 years old and older who lives, works or goes to school in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Augusta Health is vaccinating everyone 5 years old and older who lives, works or goes to school in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Vaccinations for children 5-11 years old

To ensure patient safety and in awareness of the different dosage for the 5- to 11-year-old age group, there are separate clinics for children 5-11 years old only at the on-campus location. A parent or legal guardian must be present to consent to vaccination of minors.

Vaccine boosters

Anyone 12-years-old and older can receive third-dose COVID-19 booster shots. Children 5- to 11-years-old who are immunocompromised or immune suppressed can also receive a booster.

When can you get the booster?

  • At least five months after you completed your Pfizer or Moderna series

  • Either the Pfizer or Moderna series, you can get a third dose in 28 days

  • Two months after Johnson & Johnson vaccination

Which booster can you get?

  • If you are 18-years-old and older, you can get any booster shot you prefer.

  • If you are 12-years-old and older, you can get a Pfizer booster.

Please make appointments at vaccinate.augustahealth.com

More: Sheriff's Office: Man tried to rob Craigsville IGA

More: Virginia has just 132 adult ICU beds left in the entire state.

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Vaccine-specific clinics

For patient safety concerns, vaccines will be offered on specific days. Make an appointment for a clinic that is offering the vaccine you want. If you are registering for a booster, and are switching vaccine, make an appointment for the type of booster you want. For example, if you originally received a Pfizer vaccine, but would like a Moderna booster, make an appointment in a Moderna clinic.

If you have questions about eligibility, call Augusta Health's vaccination call center at (540) 332-5122.

Remember to bring your COVID vaccination record card to the booster appointment.

Vaccinations at primary care offices

Vaccinations for COVID-19 continue in all Augusta Medical Group primary care offices. Patients who prefer to receive a vaccination from their personal physician should contact their doctor's office to be scheduled into the next available vaccination appointment block.

The head of Augusta Health COVID-19 task force, Dr. Clint Merritt, is in charge of the medical team at mobility clinics. He and his team vaccinated residents at Gypsy Hill Place on March 18.
The head of Augusta Health COVID-19 task force, Dr. Clint Merritt, is in charge of the medical team at mobility clinics. He and his team vaccinated residents at Gypsy Hill Place on March 18.

Community-based vaccine clinics

Augusta Health's community vaccination team will offer vaccines at St. John's Catholic Church in Waynesboro on Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Spanish–English interpreters will be on-site to provide assistance.

To date, more than 10,000 vaccines have been administered at clinics within vulnerable communities by the Augusta Health Task Force.

Community organizations that would like to partner with Augusta Health for a vaccination clinic can contact VaccinationTaskForce@augustahealth.com for more information on the requirements.

Augusta Health mass vaccine clinics

Tuesday, Jan. 18: Pfizer vaccine clinic from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. for those 12-years-old and older. For first dose and second doses are available to those 12-years-old and older, and booster doses are available to those 16-years-old and older. A parent or guardian must be present to consent to vaccination for minors.

Wednesday, Jan. 19: Pfizer vaccine clinic from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for those 12-years-old and older. First dose and second doses are available to those 12-years-old and older, and booster dose available to those 16-years-old and older. A parent or guardian must be present to consent to vaccination for minors.

Thursday, Jan. 20: Pfizer vaccine clinic for children 5- to 11-years-old only from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. A parent or guardian must be present to consent to vaccination for minors.

Friday, Jan. 21: Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine clinics from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for those 18-years-old and older for first dose, second dose and booster doses.

For on-campus vaccine clinics, go to vaccinate.augustahealth.com to schedule an appointment.

Vaccines given by Augusta Health

Total doses given at Augusta Health's vaccination clinics: 111,086

Community members fully-vaccinated at Augusta Health's vaccination clinics: 46,941

Boosters: 21,134

Children 5-11 years old: 2,944

Vaccination call center

Not everyone has access to the internet. Others just have questions. For assistance, call Augusta Health's vaccination call center at (540) 332-5122.

Homebound patients are being vaccinated through a pilot program with Central Shenandoah EMS. Contact the vaccination call center for more information.

More: Youngkin rushes to end school mask protections. Some districts already pushing back.

— Monique Calello (she/her) has been a journalist with The News Leader/USA TODAY Network since she made the Shenandoah Valley her home almost 10 years ago. Have a good feature or story tip? Questions? You can reach her at mcalello@newsleader.com. Follow her on Twitter @moniquecalello.

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This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Augusta Health: monoclonal antibody infusions