Texas runs out of key monoclonal antibody treatment

Texas has run out of sotrovimab, a key monoclonal antibody treatment against omicron, due to a national shortage.

The Texas Department of Health and Human Services said the federal government controls the distribution of the monoclonal antibodies and that it expects a new shipment in January.

"Other monoclonal antibodies have not shown to be effective against the Omicron variant, which now accounts for more than 90 percent of new cases," the department said.

The department said its infusion centers will continue to offer antibodies that are helpful for other variants of COVID-19. It also said it will soon make newly approved antiviral drugs from the Food and Drug Administration available to the public.