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COVID-19 and immunotherapy

Question:

3/9/2020
Given concerns about infectious disease during the current COVID-19 outbreak, there has been discussion in some quarters about changing allergy immunotherapy protocols using glycerinated/aqueous extracts to a standard maintenance interval of six weeks or more. The discussion stems from proposed efforts to reduce patient visits to physician offices to reduce potential waiting room exposures among patients. What is the thought among members of the immunotherapy practice parameter workgroup on this proposed change in practice? Would we expect a recommended interval of six weeks to be both safe and effective for most patients? Were thoughts about waiting room transmissibility of common respiratory pathogens incorporated in the existing guidelines?

Answer:
Please refer to the current CDC guidelines on COVID-19 mitigation in healthcare settings for the most up to date information. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/healthcare-facilities/index.html

One will still need to consider the overall risks and benefits of administering immunotherapy on an individual basis for each patient.

For additional information, we launched podcast episode 25 here. This podcast has lots of information about next steps.

Eric Macy, MD, MS, FAAAAI