It's an important step forward in the fight against COVID-19.

Evusheld, the first ever monoclonal antibody cocktail authorized by the FDA is coming to our area via UPMC.

"We have devised a plan to distribute the drug to those patients who need it most as quickly as possible, and in the fairest way possible,” said Erin McCreary, Pharm. D, an infectious diseases pharmacist with UPMC.

The drug is designed for people who are severely immunocompromised, like cancer or transplant patients.

Of the 456 doses allotted to UPMC by the federal government, UPMC Hamot will get 50 of those doses.

Supply constraints will make this roll out take months, instead of days.

“The demand for the drug far outweighs the supply, but we want to assure our patients that we will get all eligible patients this medication as soon as we are able," said McCreary.

How does the drug work? Instead of just relying on your body to create antibodies to fight off COVID, Evusheld introduces two new antibodies to your system for an extra layer of protection.

“I feel safer," said George Spine, who received the monoclonal antibody treatment from UPMC on Thursday.

“I feel very fortunate that this was offered to me. I'm thankful for this," another recipient, Peggy Stern said.

People who received the long term treatment are grateful to be first in line. "It gives me peace of mind knowing that I can still go home and be around my friends and family, and know that I'm not only protecting myself but protecting them as well," said Harry Schmidley.

For now, UPMC will be contacting people who are most eligible for the Evusheld injection. They say they’ll give out as many of these treatments as they can, as long as supply allows.