SAN ANTONIO – Regeneron. No, it’s not the title of the next big superhero franchise. It’s the name of the company behind the monoclonal antibody treatment (REGEN-COV) used to treat COVID-19. Mention it to your doctor and you can receive a referral for a treatment which studies show reduces hospitalization by 70 percent.

Another study, published on Aug 4 by the New England Journal of Medicine, concluded that "REGEN-COV prevented symptomatic Covid-19 and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in previously uninfected household contacts of infected persons. Among the participants who became infected, REGEN-COV reduced the duration of symptomatic disease and the duration of a high viral load."

On Nov 21, 2020, the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization for the use of REGEN-COV for the treatment of mild or moderate COVID-19 for anyone 12 years of age and older. The Emergency Use Authorization was revised on Aug 10 and remains in effect.

If you’ve tested positive for COVID-19, you qualify to receive the treatment free of charge, vaccinated or unvaccinated. Only a doctor’s referral is required.

On Aug 27, Gov. Abbott announced that the Texas Division of Emergency Management, in partnership with local officials, will establish a new COVID-19 therapeutic infusion center in Edinburg, the second in the Rio Grande Valley. Combined with centers established by the Texas Department of State Health Services, there are now a total of 14 antibody infusion centers operating in Texas communities, including Ft. Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. There are more to come.

“The State of Texas is proud to partner with local officials and health leaders to launch a second infusion center in the Rio Grande Valley,” said Gov. Abbott. “I urge Texans who test positive for COVID-19 to talk to their doctor about receiving this free and effective treatment. Texans can also visit meds.tdem.texas.gov to find a therapeutic provider near them.”

In early August, an infusion center administering REGEN-COV opened at the Bexar County Expo Hall at the Freeman Coliseum. For those unable to visit the Freeman Coliseum in person, the treatment can be transported and provided by the state’s mobile infusion task force. Upon approval for reception of the treatment, the mobile task force can be reached at 1-800-742-5990.

While some locations offer REGEN-COV infusions, others might offer an injection, potentially saving hours of time spent in treatment.

All Texans can visit meds.tdem.texas.gov to find a therapeutic provider near them.