This week, Northern Health launched a new outpatient service to treat patients with COVID-19 in the community.

The ‘Sotrovimab Clinic’ is located at Entry 5 of Northern Hospital Epping.

In the clinic, staff administer Sotrovimab, a novel monoclonal antibody treatment, intravenously to patients in the community who are unwell with COVID-19.

Northern Health is one of only a couple of sites across Victoria that are administering this therapy in an outpatient setting.

Professor Don Campbell, Director Staying Well Program, said,  “We are very pleased to have the Sotrovimab infusion centre established here at Northern Health.”

“Vulnerable communities who haven’t yet been able to access vaccination are particularly at risk from COVID-19,” he explained.

“The Sotrovimab treatment involves a single intravenous infusion of a monoclonal antibody directed against the Protein S Spike of the SARS CoV2 (COVID-19) virus. If it is administered early to eligible patients, it has the potential to reduce risk of severe illness and admission to hospital by over 80 per cent,” he explained.

The laboratory-made proteins are designed to mimic the natural antibodies produced by the immune system when defending itself against diseases.

The monoclonal antibodies bind to the virus to stop it from entering host cells, and also help to fight off already infected cells. A complete treatment cycle requires only one dose.

“We want to treat members of our community who are at risk – so we can help keep them safe at home,” Don said.

Madelaine Flynn, Director of Infection Prevention, explained the new clinic is being well received by patients.

“At present, the clinic can administer this treatment to 15 patients per day Monday to Friday,” she said.

“So far, the clinic is going great – we have already had many patients come through and receive this treatment.”

We look forward to the clinic increasing capacity and treating more COVID-19 patients in our community.