PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Both Merck and AstraZeneca have introduced experimental treatments to help COVID-19 patients.
As part of our In Depth mini-series "The Long Haul: Learning to Live in a Lasting Pandemic" presented by Independence Blue Cross, Dr. Brian McDonough explained how those treatments work and who should receive them.
"It would give us kind of a weapon to use at those early stages that could be helpful," Dr. McDonough said of the Merck treatment.
Dr. McDonough believes we'll be dealing with COVID-19 for a while.
"I think we're going to be probably having, I'll say annual, but regular vaccines against COVID," he said.
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"I think we're going to be just always being careful and watching the season, much like we have with the flu."
In his conversation with KYW Newsradio's Carol Mackenzie, Dr. McDonough further breaks down break down the new experimental treatments from Merck and AstraZeneca, and to explain what monoclonal antibodies are and how they work.
He also shares his thoughts on the safety of those treatments vs. the safety of the vaccine, and what he tells patients who are hesitant to get vaccinated. Finally, he offers much more about his predictions for the future of this pandemic, both for the winter and long-term.
Listen in our podcast player above.
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