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Can current monoclonal antibodies protect against the omicron variant?

CHARLOTTE — As the COVID-19 omicron variant runs rampant through the U.S., some wonder if current monoclonal antibodies are a weapon in fighting the virus.

[RELATED COVERAGE: Cooper pushes for boosters as omicron spreads, won’t reimpose mandates]

Monoclonal antibodies have been used in the fight against COVID-19.

Local resident Von Tinsley Holloman got sick from COVID-19 in August and received the antibodies. Holloman said she felt a nearly immediate difference.

“The monoclonal antibody treatment -- it was like a miracle,” she told Channel 9. “Within 45 minutes, I felt like a new person.”

However, researchers now say that the first two drugs that came out have lost their effectiveness against the omicron variant.

“The bad news is that omicron resists the first two cocktails that were made available to us,” said Dr. Myron Cohen, director of the UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases.

There is a third monoclonal, Sotrovimab, which works against omicron, officials said. The problem is that it’s in short supply across the country and it could take weeks to change that.

[RELATED COVERAGE: Omicron now dominant US coronavirus strain, CDC says]

>> In the video at the top of this webpage, reporter Glenn Counts learns more about the antibodies and the omicron variant.

(Watch the video below: As cases of omicron variant continue to surge, Novant doctors share their concerns)