AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas state health department has run out of a key treatment to fight the omicron COVID-19 variant, which now makes up 90% of the virus cases in the state.

On Monday, the Texas Department of State Health Services announced that its regional infusion centers in Austin, El Paso, Fort Worth, San Antonio and The Woodlands have run out of the monoclonal antibody sotrovimab.

That antibody has been shown to be effective against the omicron variant. Other monoclonal antibodies have not been shown to be effective against omicron.

The state does not expect to receive another shipment of sotrovimab from the federal government until January. 

People who had an appointment scheduled at regional infusion centers for this treatment will be alerted. People who have been diagnosed with a non-omicron variant can receive other monoclonal antibody treatments at the regional infusion centers. 

Fact check: No policy denies white people antibody treatment, Texas health department says

Last week the Food and Drug Administration gave emergency use authorization for two new oral antiviral drugs, the Pfizer COVID-19 pill and the Merck COVID-19 pill. The state expects that those will be available soon but in a limited supply from the federal government. 

Without these three early response treatments to COVID-19 available, the state is recommending that people take precautions against getting COVID-19, including getting a booster shot as soon as possible. Wearing a mask, avoiding gatherings, social distancing and hand washing are also recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas runs out of monoclonal antibody treatment to fight omicron

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