DOH Leon Thanks Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Staff as they End Deployment to Tallahassee 

Today, November 12, 2021, the state-supported monoclonal antibody treatment site in Leon County will see its last patient when it closes at 5:00 p.m. Since opening on August 27, medical staff have treated more than 3,080 people inside the former Sears Department Store at Governor’s Square Mall. The Florida Department of Health in Leon County extends heartfelt thanks to the operations crew and medical staff for their hard work and their sacrifices as they end their deployments to Tallahassee and return to their homes and families.

Monoclonal antibody treatments can be prescribed by health care providers to individuals 12 years of age and older who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are at high risk for severe illness and hospitalization. However, at Governor DeSantis’ direction, there had been a standing order in Florida signed by the State Surgeon General that allows patients to receive this treatment without a prescription or referral if administered by an eligible health care provider. Such referrals were not required at any of the State of Florida monoclonal antibody treatment sites and treatments are available at no cost to patients.

The antibodies help the immune system recognize and respond effectively to the virus. According to the treatment guidelines, they should be administered as soon as possible after diagnosis. The drug can be given as an IV infusion or a series of four shots. Providing access to these treatments at these sites across Florida helped to alleviate demand on hospital resources and further made sure that Leon County residents had access to all potential treatments that could help them recover from COVID-19.  

The Florida Department of Health in Leon County continues to encourage all individuals who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.  

Alternative monoclonal antibody therapy treatment locations include:

CDR Health in Tallahassee

1981 Capital Circle Ne

Tallahassee, Florida

*Please note that CDR Health in Tallahassee is a private clinic and treatment is not free.  They accept insurance and self-pay. 

###

 Written by:

Pamela Saulsby | Public Information Officer