Tennessee is now recommending treatment for those most likely to be hospitalized.
Typically, the infusion is authorized for mild-to-moderate COVID-19 cases in non-hospitalized patients regardless of vaccination status.
The Tennessee Department of Health says due to a national shortage of the treatment, it's updating its recommendations.
“HHS recently informed states of disruptions to the federal supply chain for monoclonal antibody products. Our recommendation to monoclonal antibody providers or individual facilities across the state is if they need to prioritize distribution of the treatment, the NIH guidelines are the recommended approach for that prioritization, including prioritizing those who are most likely to be hospitalized. Ultimately, this comes down to providers' clinical judgment to ensure those most at risk are receiving this treatment. Providers across the state continue to receive supply of the treatment; however, we do not have an update on allocation for this week.” - TDH
Now we're seeing pushback because this doesn't include those who have already gotten the COVID-19 vaccine since the CDC says they are less likely to be hospitalized.
Across Tennessee, hospitals are reporting the majority, more than 90%, of those hospitalized with the virus are unvaccinated.
The change comes as the demand for the antibody treatment grows across the country.
White House press secretary Jenn Psaki says just seven states make up 70 percent of the the nation's antibody treatment orders. But the Biden administration believes distribution should be equitable across the country.
“Over the last month, given the rise in cases due to the Delta variant and the lower number of vaccination rates in some of these states — like Florida, like Texas — just seven states are making up 70 percent of the [antibody treatment] orders,” White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said in a recent press briefing. “Our supply is not unlimited, and we believe it should be equitable across states across the country.”
A group of Tennessee congressmen and women sent a letter to the department of health and human services, urging them to increase availability to areas in need.
Tennessee's neighbors to the north are also feeling the strain of the infusion shortage. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said due to a national shortage, there will not be enough monoclonal antibody infusions to go around and urges residents to get vaccinated.
92 percent of all COVID-19 hospitalizations in Kentucky since March 1 have been people who are unvaccinated.
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