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Monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19 hard to get, health officials say

CHARLOTTE — Health leaders said only limited amounts of monoclonal antibodies, a treatment for COVID-19, are available due to the spread of the omicron variant.

[PAST COVERAGE: What is monoclonal antibody treatment and who should get it?]

The chief strategic officer at Avant Pharmacy said they need more doses.

“We have a waitlist of over 100 patients,” Dr. Saswat Kabisatpathy told Channel 9. “We are currently triaging to see who is eligible and meets the criteria for that.”

The shortage is statewide.

StarMed provides the treatment as well, and frequently shows that there not any monoclonal antibody appointments available.

The first we could find is on Monday

The county gives out doses from the state, which gets them from the federal government.

“The shortages are not unique to Mecklenburg County,” said county health director Dr. Raynard Washington. “It is across the entire state.”

Area leaders aren’t sure when the supply will ramp up but encourage patients who tested positive for coronavirus to talk to their doctors about treatment options.

“That is the most critical thing you can do if you are not feeling well, particularly if you are high-risk and have a COVID infection,” Washington said.

Officials with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services said two monoclonal treatments do not work against omicron, so it has reduced distribution.

Sotrovimab, which is produced by GlaxoSmithKline, is the only treatment available.

(Watch the video below: Can current monoclonal antibodies protect us against the omicron variant?)