TAMPA, Fla. — Across Florida, COVID-19 patients can receive monoclonal antibody treatments at various sites.
As more people are taking advantage of the now widely available treatment, Spectrum Bay News 9 took a look at what the process is like in Hillsborough County.
Below, you'll find information on locations, times and the process for getting treated.
What You Need To Know
- The FDA has issued Emegency Use Authorizations to monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19
- Multiple sites are now open in and around the Tampa Bay area
- Related: Governor DeSantis benefits of monoclonal antibody treatment
Where do I get it?
About 300 patients can receive the monoclonal antibody treatment each day at Kings Forest Park in Tampa. Click here for directions.
There are also sites set up in Lakeland, Bradenton and Hudson.
When do I get it?
The Tampa site is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments are not required.
How do I get it?
Patients who prefer to make an appointment can do so through a patient portal.
When you arrive, you will be guided through cones until you reach the parking lot outside the building.
Masks are required on site.
What is the process like?
The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County says patients being treated at the site receive four injections — one in each arm and on both sides of their stomach. That takes about five minutes, but patients must remain for an hour at the site for observation.
Chris Okon received the treatment on Monday. He got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in March but tested positive last week for COVID-19. He says he had a fever on Friday but started feeling better over the weekend.
"I want to get healthy as quickly as possible,” said Okon.
He told Spectrum Bay News 9 the fact that he lives with his father also factored into his decision.
Okon arrived at the site around 12:30 p.m. Once he got inside the building, he says he was told to expect a two-hour wait — that took nearly four hours. Still, he says it was worth it, and the process of getting the injections was easy.
“The hardest part was just waiting, and of course that’s going to be expected because you have so many people going through the same thing,” Okon said.