It is being reported that shortages of monoclonal antibodies are causing a major problem. Many of the states with lower vaccination rates are utilizing this treatment alongside encouraging more people to get one of the three main Covid-19 vaccines now available in the United States.
Many southern states have low vaccination rates and therefore need more monoclonal antibody treatments. Initially, medical providers were directly ordering the treatments from manufacturers to get what they needed. Now, it is being reported that due to a shortage, the U.S. Government under the Biden Administration will route orders of these treatments through them for approval.
The reported reason for this is to be able to better manage these supposed shortages, but many fear it could hurt southern states and other states that may need them the most. It’s hard to say for sure how this reported rationing plan will end up working out and who it may affect the most. Christina Pushaw tweeted about it:
“Supply of monoclonal antibody treatment to Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas & other Southern states restricted by Biden Admin with no real explanation besides “equity.” How is it equitable to only send treatment for HALF the Floridians who need it, & NO state sites in Alabama?
Now hospitalization rates are down 50% in Florida, thanks to @GovRonDeSantis promoting & expanding access to monoclonals, but Alabama is getting hit harder. They do not have ANY state supported sites like we do. And they’d planned to open some to relieve burden on hospitals!
But now they cannot, because of the Biden Admin’s unexplained restrictions on monoclonal antibody shipments to the South. What are COVID patients in Alabama supposed to do?”
Supply of monoclonal antibody treatment to Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas & other Southern states restricted by Biden Admin with no real explanation besides “equity.” How is it equitable to only send treatment for HALF the Floridians who need it, & NO state sites in Alabama?
— Christina Pushaw (@ChristinaPushaw) September 16, 2021
But now they cannot, because of the Biden Admin’s unexplained restrictions on monoclonal antibody shipments to the South. What are COVID patients in Alabama supposed to do?
— Christina Pushaw (@ChristinaPushaw) September 16, 2021
From the Washington Post:
The policy change that went into effect Monday is all but certain to result in cuts of the medication to some states, especially seven in the Deep South with high infection rates that have been using about 70 percent of the national supply.
Soaring demand for the therapy represents a sharp turn from just two months ago, when monoclonal antibodies were widely available and awareness of them was low. Consumers, doctors and states, amid little government promotion, were obtaining just a fraction of the available supply.
Since then, however, word of the highly effective therapy — which is free to patients — has spread, with federal officials and Republicans, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, urging their use. Now the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will, at least temporarily, set the rules for distribution of monoclonal antibodies instead of allowing states, medical facilities and doctors to order them directly.
“HHS will determine the amount of product each state and territory receives on a weekly basis,” an HHS spokesman said. “State and territorial health departments will subsequently identify sites that will receive product and how much.” The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe new procedures that are still being explained to communities throughout the country.
“This system will help maintain equitable distribution, both geographically and temporally, across the country, providing states and territories with consistent, fairly distributed supply over the coming weeks,” he added.
It is apparent that many will see this move as nefarious and political, while others will see it as necessary. We take Covid-19 seriously and think you should consult your medical doctor as always to determine the best course of action for your personal situation.
Meanwhile, with thousands of illegal immigrants coming across the southern border daily, it’s really hard for many to see the Biden/Harris regime as a serious one that actually cares about the nation.
