TEXAS — If you come down with the omicron variant of COVID-19, you may not bother visiting a Texas infusion center for the time being.

What You Need To Know

  • Texas infusion centers have run out of the monoclonal antibody sotrovimab, which has proven effective in combating the omicron COVID-19 variant

  • It’s anticipated Texas won’t receive more shipments of sotrovimab until some point in January

  • The Texas Department of State Health Services blames the federal government for the shortage and says that supplies are limited nationwide

  • Texas on Monday reported 15,093 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 as well as 2,238 new probable cases

The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting that the infusion centers located in Austin, El Paso, San Antonio, Fort Worth and The Woodlands are out of the monoclonal antibody sotrovimab.

According to DSHS, sotrovimab is the only antibody shown to be effective in treating omicron, which now accounts for 90% of new COVID-19 cases.

It’s anticipated sotrovimab won’t be available at the aforementioned infusion centers until some point in January.

DSHS places the blame for the shortage on the federal government. The agency in a news release wrote the “federal government controls the distribution of monoclonal antibodies” and there is a national shortage of the antibody.

If you had an appointment to visit an infusion center this week you will be contacted directly and advised on what to do, DSHS said.

Other antibodies will still be available at Texas infusion centers, but they have not been shown to be effective at treating omicron.

DSHS additionally said two new antiviral drugs were approved by the Food and Drug Administration last week but they will be in short supply for the time being and their distribution is also handled by the federal government.

Health leaders urged Texans to get vaccinated if they have not and take the necessary precautions to avoid becoming infected.

The state of Texas has resisted mask and vaccine mandates in order to curb the spread of the virus, instead opening a number of infusion centers in order to treat the infected.

DSHS on Monday reported 15,093 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the state, 2,238 new probable cases and 43 new fatalities attributed to the virus.

Currently, 3,965 Texans are hospitalized with COVID-19, 1,088 of whom are in intensive care. As of Monday 112 pediatric patients are hospitalized with the disease.