“Unfortunately, as a result of this sudden decision by the federal government, all monoclonal antibody state sites will be closed until further notice,” said the Florida Department of Health.
Said in a statement..
According to the state, more than 2,000 treatment appointments were canceled on Tuesday alone.
statement From Governor Ron DeSantis.
At the beginning of Monday
FDA said It was revising the authorization for monoclonal antibody therapy made by
Eli Lilly (Bamlanivimab and etesebimab, co-administered) and
Regeneron (REGEN-COV, or casirivimab and imdevimab), because the data showed that “it is very unlikely to be active against the Omicron mutant”.
Omicron accounts for more than 99% of Covid-19 cases in the United States as of January 15, and the FDA states that limiting the approval of treatments that are ineffective against mutants “exposes patients to side effects. Avoid … potentially serious. “
Some people did
Received monoclonal antibody treatment According to the National Institutes of Health, rashes, diarrhea, nausea and dizziness were reported after treatment. A few patients had a severe allergic reaction.
The FDA’s announcement came after the Biden administration’s senior health authorities called the governor’s and state health authorities’ offices.
Early this monthAccording to sources familiar with Cole, they urged them not to use these treatments at Omicron.
DeSantis often uses monoclonal antibodies as the basis for his response to the proliferation of coronavirus cases and is more aggressive than vaccines.
Last summer, he introduced a new clinic where individuals can be treated at the onset of symptoms or exposure to Covid-19 infected individuals.
Earlier this month
Record surge Of the cases of Covid-19, DeSantis attacked the Biden administration for suspending the shipment of monoclonal antibodies and promoted continued widespread use of treatment.
January 7
DeSantis said Despite being a pharmaceutical company, he secured 15,000 doses of Regeneron antibody treatment for the state.
Say in december The REGEN-COV antibody is “decreased in efficacy against Omicron.”
DeSantis blamed FDA announcement
Monday’s statementThe Biden administration “forced trained medical professionals to choose between treating patients and violating the law,” he said.
Sotrovimab, a monoclonal antibody to GlaxoSmithKline, is the only version of a treatment that appears to be effective against Omicron, the FDA said last month.
At that time, the Assistant Secretary of Preparation and Response and the FDA suspended the allocation of Eli Lilly and Regeneron monoclonal antibodies, but said in January that 300,000 additional doses of sotrovimab would be possible.
Steve Contrno of CNN contributed to this report.
