UK Healthcare discusses antibody treatments, vaccination for children
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – As the state continues to see a high number of cases in kids, local health experts say the best way to keep kids healthy is immunization.
In a meeting Monday morning, health experts with UK Healthcare said monoclonal antibody treatments are now available to local kids over the age of 12.
However, many children have not gotten them.
“The most important reason to reach out to your primary care provider when your child, you know, test positive for for COVID 19 is exactly for that reason to
find out whether or not they are a candidate for for monoclonal antibody therapy, said Dr. Sean McTigue, UK Healthcare Medical Director for Pediatric Infection Prevention and Control. “Because there are so many children who are candidates for therapy, who are not receiving therapy, and who are therefore winding up admitted to our hospital or another hospital for severe critical illness that very likely could have been prevented with with monoclonal antibody therapy that given earlier in the earlier in the infection.”
Health experts encourage parents to find out if their child is eligible for monoclonal antibody treatments because it could keep their kids safe, healthy and in school.
Also during the meeting, local health experts said vaccination is another way to keep kids healthy.
Pfizer is seeking FDA approval for kids ages 5 to 11 to get the shot. Dr. McTigue said approval is likely in November.
UK is also part of a national trial by Moderna to test the safety and effectiveness of its vaccine. The trial is enrolling kids between six months and two years old in the study, which is set to start at the end of October.