Monoclonal Antibody Treatments at Medina Regional

Hondo, Texas (September 24, 2021)–Medina Healthcare System began infusion clinics in the middle of August 2021 and performed about 10 Monoclonal Antibody Treatments per day on mostly unvaccinated patients. Within the past couple of weeks the process for Monoclonal Antibody Treatments has shifted for healthcare providers.
Medina Healthcare System remains committed to providing treatment options for patients diagnosed with COVID-19, and will continue to do so as allocations allow.
Late September 13, 2021, federal US Health and Human Services (US HHS) notified states that, due to supply constraints, providers may no longer order mAb products direct from AmerisourceBergen Corporation (ABC). Instead, US HHS will provide weekly allocations to the states. The states, in turn, will make allocations to their providers. During the first week of this transition, Medina Healthcare System (and other infusion sites in the United States) did not receive any allocations of the monoclonal antibody treatment; thus were unable to offer the service for this week.
The state is making an effort to distribute broadly to both urban and rural areas. Moving forward, Medina Regional (and all other sites) will be able to order and receive infusion treatments through the Texas Vaccine Allocation and Ordering System. Due to the huge demand for the infusion treatments, our supply is expected to be limited. We had been receiving approximately 100 doses per week – last week we received only 24.
The new process will be a week-to-week endeavor. We continue to work closely with the state to navigate this new process- one that impacts all states in the nation. Our earnest goal is to continue offering this treatment option for COVID-19 positive patients and encourage our fellow residents to get their vaccine. Make the best decisions to protect you, your family, and your community! If you have questions or uncertainty, please talk with your health care provider to get the facts about COVID-19 vaccines. The infusion therapy is severely limited and is not an alternative to getting the vaccine. The vaccine costs taxpayers about $20 while the antibody infusion costs about $2,000. Please consider getting vaccinated.
To qualify for a Monoclonal Antibody Treatment, you must have a positive antigen or PCR COVID-19 test (not a home test per governmental regulations), in addition to an order from your provider. Infusions are scheduled procedures. We are not able to accommodate walk ins.
Press Release Courtesy of Medina Regional Hospital