A new treatment for those exposed to coronavirus, but who are not yet vaccinated, is being studied in England.
Studies by the NHS Trust at University College London Hospitals (UCLH) are testing whether those recently exposed to coronavirus could be offered some protection against direct antibody injections, according to the BBC.
“We know that this combination of antibodies can neutralize the virus, so we hope to find that administering this injection therapy can lead to immediate protection against the development of COVID-19 in people who have been exposed – when it would be too late to provide a vaccine, ”UCLH virologist Dr. Catherine Houlihan told the news service.
It can take weeks for vaccines to give full immunity to a virus as the body builds up the necessary antibodies. The purpose of post-exposure treatment is to provide an alternative – and more immediate – method of protection for those who cannot receive the vaccine.
Antibodies can provide protection against coronavirus for up to a year, say researchers who add that they are not looking to offer treatment as an alternative for those able to receive the vaccine.
Trials began only in London, with the first results expected this spring.