Thank you for the ping and the question. At this time, Regeneron does not appear all that effective for omicron. However, the monoclonal sotrovimab appears to be superior for omicron. That being said, omicron is pretty benign, and we are seeing an awful lot of extremely mild symptomatic patients (hospitalized “with” instead of “for”) and does not require infusion therapy
The Biden administration has effectively co-opted and nationalized this medication, so we are all kind of screwed because the admin has restricted distribution. My colleagues in Florida had an extremely easy time getting monoclonals, but that is no longer the case as of today because of changes in the FDA authorization.
I think this clearly demonstrated the ill will of the administration currently in DC, and I believe I read DeSantis was going to sue over this — which is appropriate.
I have long stated that vaccinations against the original and delta disease were effective at stopping critical illness, but clearly omicron has escaped vaccination, but perhaps because of vaccination, the evolution of a more mild disease has occurred which will “naturally” vaccinate everyone. I am particularly heartened that omicron seems to produce robust antibodies to precious and more serious disease.
You essentially did the exact right thing as I have encouraged those who did not want vaccination to make sure they could get monoclonals. While you are correct that the door is closed, the good news is that omicron causes no critical illness in my experience (I see an occasional delta, but that is a different clinical story). The numbers are crashing, and the receding of omicron will be as impressive as its emergence — take joy that the UK and SA, and now Ireland have stopped all their covid precautions because the have reached herd immunity — and it is over. The only question left is what will the politicians (and I think Fauci is a politician, not physician) do. I have a feeling Biden will use this to declare victory of CoVID (if he were smart), return everything to normal, and take a victory lap — we shall see if he is that smart.
Thank you!
” However, the monoclonal sotrovimab appears to be superior for omicron.”
Ah...also a GlaxoSmithKline product. I have a telephone follow-up appt early Feb. I will ask about sotrovimab. If you don’t mind, I may private FRmail you after appt.
“The numbers are crashing, and the receding of omicron will be as impressive as its emergence.”
I am high-risk, but as long as I know I have the best therapeutics available, I agree contracting omicron is an experience I dread, but the natural immunity that follows would be a relief.
“The only question left is what will the politicians (and I think Fauci is a politician, not physician) do. I have a feeling Biden will use this to declare victory of CoVID (if he were smart), return everything to normal, and take a victory lap — we shall see if he is that smart.”
On this question, I think you may be overly optimistic. They seem to be hell-bent to vaccinate the world...with the current mrna vaccines and/or the next incarnation from Pfizer (against omicron). $$$
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4032563/posts
FUTILE! Govt a light year behind because their “control” over covid is solely (or soullessly) politically driven. IMO, Biden isn’t in control of anything. Incapable of sustained rational thought on complex subjects. Merely taking direction.
But PS: I hope you are right. It *would* be the smart thing to do. The Biden Adm has crashed the world in a year and has more impt things to attend to.
Thanks again
PPS: Have you weighed in on diluted povidone iodine as a nasal and gargle prophylaxis?