Treatment Options
Help reduce your risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 through the following treatment options
Antiviral Treatments
Oral medication used for the treatment of early mild-to-moderate COVID-19 cases.
Monoclonal Antibody Treatments
IV infusion for early cases of COVID-19 to prevent hospitalization and reduce severity of symptoms.
Pre-exposure Treatments
Injection used for individuals allergic to vaccines and those who are severely immune compromised before COVID-19 infection.
YOU ARE ELIGIBLE IF:
12 years or older
Symptoms appeared within 5-10 days
High risk for severe COVID-19
Prescription from a health care provider
If you are an older adult or someone at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, the following treatment options may be available to you*:
Antiviral Treatments
- Types: Pfizer’s Paxlovid and Merck’s Molnupiravir
- An oral medication and prescription only
- Must be taken within 5 days of onset of symptoms
- For individuals ages 12 and older who are high risk of becoming severely ill
- For mild to moderate COVID-19 cases
- Both have FDA authorization
Monoclonal Antibody Treatments
- Intravenous (IV) therapy that blocks the virus from entering the body and limit the amount of the virus in your body
- For individuals ages 12 and older who are high risk of becoming severely ill
- For mild to moderate COVID-19 cases
- Must be administered within 10 days of onset of symptoms
- Must be referred by healthcare provider
- FDA emergency use authorization
Treatment Resources
| Organization/Resource | Contact Info | Website | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test to Treat | 1-800-232-0233 | Website Link | “Through this program, people are able to get tested and – if they are positive and treatments are appropriate for them – receive a prescription from a health care provider, and have their prescription filled all at one location. These “One-Stop Test to Treat” sites are available at hundreds of locations nationwide, including pharmacy-based clinics, Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA)-supported federally-qualified health centers (FQHCs), and long-term care facilities. |
| ASPR - COVID-19 Therapeutics Locator | 1-800-232-0233 | Website Link | Locator tool to find a place to fill an oral medication prescription (for provider usage) |
| ASPR - Federal Response to COVID-19: Therapeutics Clinical Implementation Guide | 1-800-232-0233 | Website Link | COVID-19 outpatient therapeutics can be used to prevent or treat eligible non-hospitalized patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and have mild to moderate symptoms. Prevention and early treatment for eligible patients can help improve patient outcomes, reduce stress on healthcare facilities, and even save lives. |
| COVID-19 Outpatient Therapeutics Clinical Decision Aid for Ages 12+ | 1-800-232-0233 | Website Link | Clinical Decision Aid for adult patients or patients younger than 12 years of age weighing at least 3.5kg with mild to moderate COVID-19 and at high risk for progression to severe disease. |
| NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines | For Clinicians: COVID19TreatmentGuidelines@nih.gov. | Website Link | The Panel reviews the most recent clinical data to develop treatment recommendations including various therapies for clinicians who are caring for patients with COVID-19. [Antiviral Therapy, Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Products, Cell-Based Therapy, Immunomodulators, Antithrombotic Therapy, Concomitant Medications, Supplements. |
| Access to Care | 708-531-0680 | Website Link | “Access to Care has provided primary health care services to those in need. Most of our members are people of color who have been historically underserved in health care. Vaccines to protect us from COVID-19 are now recommended for individuals 12 and older. Opportunities to receive a vaccine are now readily available. However, there are concerns in communities of color about equity (making sure everyone that wants a vaccine can get one) and hesitancy (why some people do not want to get the vaccine).” |
| FREE COVID Care Maywood | 833-619-0890 | Website Link | FreeCovidCare partners with community leaders and organizations to provide Covid Care in communities across the country. We are committed to providing easy & accessible COVID-19 testing and vaccine events for the public! |
| ACCESS COVID-19 Melrose Park, Ashland, Hawthorne, West Chicago | 800-836-7633 | Website Link | Chicago area’s largest provider of community health care, Access Community Health Network (ACCESS) has 35 health centers, located throughout Chicago, Cook and DuPage counties, and serves as the medical home for more than 180,000 patients each year. Founded in the early 1990’s, ACCESS is a federally-qualified health center (FQHC) organization accredited by The Joint Commission and strives to improve the health and wellness of our communities. |
Test To Treat
WHAT IS TEST TO TREAT?
This is a federal initiative to provide quick and free access to COVID-19 treatment nationwide. This program is a “One-Stop Test to Treat” option for people to receive testing services and treatment options if one tests positive and treatment is needed, all in one location.
WHERE CAN I FIND A TEST TO TREAT HEALTH CENTER?
There are hundreds of Test to Treat health centers nationwide, including long-term care facilities, pharmacy-based clinics, and HRSA supported Federally Qualified Health Centers. To find a participating location near you:
Call 1-800-232-0233 for assistance.
WHAT DOES TEST TO TREAT LOCATION DO?
YOU CAN…
IF YOU TEST POSITIVE…
Get Tested for COVID-19
See a health care provider
Get a prescription if treatment is right for you
Receive medicine to take home
To find a Test-to-Treat location near you, scan this QR code
Frequently Asked Questions
Source: US Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration
Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Antiviral Treatment Options
An oral antiviral is a type of medication taken by the mouth used to treat viral infections and help your body recover quicker.
An oral antiviral may be able to help decrease your symptoms, help you recover more quickly, and prevent more serious progression of the disease. These medications can help boost your Immune system and reduce the amount of active virus In your body. Note that vaccination Is still the best form of protection from COVID-19 and antivirals should not be viewed as a substitute but rather a complement to vaccines.
Yes, the FDA has fully approved one antiviral treatment (Remdesivir) and provided Emergency Use Authorization to multiple other antivirals including Paxlovid. For some people, taking certain oral antivirals is not recommended and you should consult with a doctor about the best course of treatment.
Yes, antivirals are available and beneficial to patients regardless of vaccination status. Breakthrough Infections are possible for vaccinated Individuals, and antivirals can help reduce the burden of the disease.
At this time, antiviral medications are available to people over the age of 12, who have displayed COVID-19 symptoms In the past five days, and are a higher risk of complications due to COVID-19. Your healthcare professional can help advise If antivirals are the course of treatment for you.
Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Options
Antibodies help your body fight infection; however, your body may not have antibodies that recognize a new virus like the one that causes COVID-19. Monoclonal Antibodies (mABs) are antibodies made in a lab designed to serve as substitute antibodies as a form of treatment that helps boost your immune system’s ability to fight COVID-19.
Monoclonal antibody treatment can help those who are at high risk of developing more serious symptoms of COVID-19 by both reducing the changes of hospitalization and help recover much quicker from COVID-19. Note that vaccination Is still the best form of protection from COVID-19 and mABs should not be viewed as a substitute but rather a complement to vaccines.
Monoclonal antibody treatments have been given Emergency Use Authorization through the FDA. The US Department of Health and Human Services reports that over 600,000 people have received monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19.
Yes, antibody treatment is available and beneficial to patients regardless of vaccination status. Breakthrough Infections are possible for vaccinated Individuals, and antibody treatment can help reduce the burden of the disease.
At this time, antibody treatment is available to people over the age of 12, who have displayed COVID-19 symptoms In the past seven days, and are a higher risk of complications due to COVID-19. Your healthcare professional can help advise If monoclonal antibodies is the course of treatment for you.
Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Pre-Exposure Treatment Options (Evusheld)
Evusheld is a form of monoclonal antibody treatment developed to prevent COVID-19 infection for patients who are unable to receive or respond to vaccination. Pre-exposure indicates that this form of treatment is implemented prior to COVID-19 infection (and is not a treatment in response to infection).
Antibodies help your body fight infection; however, your body may not have antibodies that recognize a new virus like the one that causes COVID-19. Monoclonal Antibodies (mABs) are antibodies made in a lab designed to serve as substitute antibodies as a form of treatment that helps boost your immune system’s ability to fight COVID-19.
Evusheld has been given Emergency Use Authorization through the FDA. The FDA has determined that Evusheld may be effective for use as pre-exposure prevention in certain individuals. At this time, there are no approved and adequate alternatives to Evusheld for the pre-exposure prevention of COVID-19. The safety and effectiveness of Evusheld for use in the pre-exposure prevention of COVID-19 continue to be evaluated.
Yes, Evusheld is available to eligible patients regardless of vaccination status; however, the FDA recommends that individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine should wait at least two weeks after vaccination before receiving Evusheld.
At this time, pre-exposure treatment is available to people over the age of 12, who are NOT currently infected or recently exposed to COVID-19, and have moderate to severe immune compromise OR vaccine is not recommended due to a history of severe adverse reaction to vaccines.
