U.S. Distributes Monoclonal Antibodies This Week, But Not COVID-19 Pills

The U.S. HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) today announced it was distributing 225,590​ monoclonal antibody treatments but no COVID-19 oral antivirals this week.

There are four mAbs Authorized but not Approved by the U.S. FDA to treat certain patients as of January 17, 2022.

The ASPR distribution list shows the total number of patient courses that have been distributed across the country.

• Bamlanivimab/ etesevimab = 44,550​
• Evusheld = 73,752
• REGEN-COV = 55,224​
• Sotrovimab = 52,064

Furthermore, this week’s ASPR national allocation indicates (0) COVID-19 oral antivirals were distributed. 

During the week of Jan. 11, there were 99,960​ Pfizer Paxlovid, and 399,920​ Merck Molnupiravir allocated to U.S. states, territories and agencies. Both Paxlovid and Molnupiravir are U.S. FDA Authorized.

Regarding the effectiveness of these mAbs and antivirals, the U.S. NIH OpenData Portal reported on January 17, 2022, in vitro Therapeutic Activity against the Omicron variant. 

As of 2 pm CT on January 17, the NIH’s data indicates Sotrovimab may offer the best protection against the SARS-COV-2 virus variant known as Omicron.

In addition, the CDC and Scripts publish updated coronavirus variant information in this Tracker App, as does the Stanford HIVDB team website. 

And the WHO publishes Tracking SARS-CoV-2 Variants on this webpage. And the UK's Health Security Agency publishes information on this webpage.

As variant prevalence changes and new therapeutics become available, there are tools and resources available from the U.S. government to assist in clinical decision-making for prescribers. As an example, the U.S. HHS published an updated ‘Therapeutics Clinical Implementation Guide’ on December 29, 2021.

The latest monoclonal antibody news and information is published on this webpage. 

PrecisionVaccinations publishes fact-checked research-based vaccine news.