The Alabama Medical Association will host a Facebook Live webcast to discuss physicians’ efforts to increase access to monoclonal antibody treatment.

Monoclonal antibodies help the body build rapid immunity to COVID-19 and prevent hospitalization in about 70% of COVID-19 patients.

Dr. Aruna Arora, president of the Medical Association, encourages those who contract the virus to ask their doctor to administer antibody treatment.

“Injections of the antibodies can be administered in a physician’s office, but getting the treatment early is key,” said Arora. “Those who test positive for COVID should immediately talk to a doctor and request antibody treatment. However, this treatment is no substitute for getting vaccinated. If you get the vaccine, you are less likely to get COVID, less likely to get severely sick and much less likely to die.”

In addition to monoclonal antibody treatment, the physicians will discuss the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of the Pfizer vaccine and vaccine booster shots.

We are hosting another Facebook Live on Thursday at 4PM to discuss the FDA approval of Pfizer's vaccine, booster immunizations, monoclonal antibody treatments, and more!

We hope to see you there! pic.twitter.com/5eN1lR523I

— Medical Association of the State of Alabama (@almedassoc) August 24, 2021

The webcast is part of the Medical Association’s weekly COVID-19 update which seeks to inform the public about mitigation efforts relating to the ongoing pandemic. The format allows viewers to submit questions which will be addressed by health care experts.

Thursday’s live-streamed update can be viewed on the Alabama Medical Association’s Facebook page, beginning at 4:00 p.m.