COVID-19: Optimize Your Health
Florida’s Innovative Response
Florida’s COVID-19 response includes statewide and grassroots initiatives to educate on prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
It is important to stay apprised of your health through routine physicals, cancer screenings, and by communicating with your health care provider.
Staying on track with medical appointments and screenings may help to know your COVID-19 risk level. Individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness, hospitalization, and death include, but are not limited to:
- Those over 65.
- Individuals with certain medical conditions.
- Immunocompromised individuals.
Prevention
Optimize your health by getting outside, staying active, and eating foods rich in vitamins and nutrients.
Vaccines continue to be widely available in Florida. For more information on eligibility and to find a vaccine near you, visit: FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov
Talk to your health care provider about how certain supplements or foods containing vitamins and minerals might help boost your immune system, such as:
Treatment
Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Treatment
Florida was among the first in the nation to significantly expand access to these treatments for both COVID-19 positive and exposed individuals. The Department continues to ensure adequate supply of monoclonal antibody therapy treatment to meet the needs of Florida residents.
Monoclonal antibody therapy treatment can prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death in high-risk patients who have contracted or been exposed to COVID-19. This treatment has been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death by 70-85% and to reduce the risk of developing symptomatic disease by over 80%.
To find a treatment location near you, visit FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov.
Oral Antivirals
Pfizer’s Paxlovid and Merck’s Molnupiravir, are antiviral pills authorized for people with mild to moderate COVID-19. These antiviral treatments are available by prescription only and should be initiated as soon as possible after diagnosis of COVID-19, and within five days of symptom onset.
Visit FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov to find anti-virals near you.
Resources, guidance, and fact sheets for health care providers as well as patients and caregivers can be found on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization website.
Emerging Treatments
COVID-19 is a novel disease. Physicians should use their clinical judgment when recommending treatment options for patients’ individualized health care needs. This may include emerging treatment options with appropriate patient informed consent, including off-label use or as part of a clinical trial. For example: