Did Biden pause distribution of some COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments?
On Dec. 23, 2021, the Biden administration temporarily halted the distribution of specific monoclonal antibody treatments over concerns that they may be ineffective against the omicron variant of COVID-19. Two of the treatments affected were those manufactured by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly. Shipments of Sotrovimab, another monoclonal antibody manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline and Vir Biotechnology, were not halted, as the drug was found to be effective against omicron.
On Dec. 29, 2021, distribution of Regeneron and Eli Lilly's treatments was resumed. However, given their lack of efficacy against omicron, these treatments are only being shipped to regions where the latest variant makes up less than 80% of cases. Exceptions are made for treatment sites capable of distinguishing between variants via testing.
Omicron is currently responsible for 99.5% of COVID-19 cases nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control.