No, Tennessee Isn’t Hoarding Monoclonal Antibody Treatment for the Unvaccinated

A widely reported rumor suggests that Tennessee will only offer promising monoclonal antibody treatments to COVID-19 patients who are unvaccinated. The idea is spawning outrage, since it implies that people who took personal precautions (and public health officials’ advice) are being deliberately disadvantaged if sick, while those who chose not to receive a life-saving vaccine are getting special privileges. There’s just one problem: It’s not true.

That hasn’t stopped the “news” of Tennessee’s unvaccinated-only treatment-rationing from being touted in a number of national headlines. For instance: “Tennessee will now DENY vaccinated COVID-19 patients access to monoclonal antibody treatments as federal government begins limiting shipments of the drugs,” the Daily Mail says.

OK, but that’s the notoriously tabloidy Daily Mail. Let’s check in with a mainstream news publication like USA Today or NBC News or Insider and…oh. “Tennessee limiting monoclonal antibody treatment to unvaccinated residents,” reads an NBC News headline. “Tennessee Recommends Vaccinated Residents Lose Access to Monoclonal Antibody Treatment,” claims USA Today. “Tennessee to reserve monoclonal antibody treatment for unvaccinated,” touts an Insider headline.

What’s really going on?

The state simply issued guidelines about monoclonal antibody treatment prioritization should a shortage arise. This guidance recommends prioritizing people most likely to suffer severe COVID-19 cases leading to hospitalization. – READ MORE