HHS Terminates COVID-19 Emergency Use Authorization Declarations

Healio ^ | June 30, 2026 | Andrew (Drew) Rhoades Mindy Valcarcel, MS

[nickcarraway]

Key takeaways:

The declarations for drugs and biologics will end in 1 year and medical devices in 180 days.

HHS said it will work with manufacturers seeking FDA approval or clearance through traditional regulatory pathways.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is moving to terminate COVID-19 emergency use authorization declarations for drugs, biologics and medical devices, the agency announced.

“Americans deserve a regulatory system that is transparent, accountable and rooted in the rule of law,” Kennedy Jr. said in a press release. “By ending these COVID-19 emergency use authorization declarations, we’re reinforcing public confidence that emergency authorities are temporary and targeted.”

Generic Breaking News infographic

The declarations for drugs and biologics will end in 1 year and medical devices in 180 days. Image: Adobe Stock According to HHS, these terminations will take place over advanced notice periods “to ensure an orderly transition.”

Specifically, declarations for medical devices will end 180 days after the determination, while declarations for drugs and biological products will end 1 year after determination. HHS did not list declarations for specific devices, drugs and biologics that will be terminated.

The declarations were first issued in 2020 to “enable rapid access to medical products during the pandemic,” HHS said. Since then, the agency said many products have received approval or clearance through traditional pathways, reducing the need for products that were authorized under emergency use during the pandemic.

HHS said it will work with manufacturers “on appropriate regulatory pathways for products seeking traditional approval, clearance or licensure.”

Editor’s note: This is a developing news story. Please check back soon for more details.

Sources/Disclosures

Source:

Press Release

References:

Emergency use authorization. https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-legal-regulatory-and-policy-framework/emergency-use-authorization#covid19euas. Accessed June 30, 2026.

Emergency use authorizations for drugs and non-vaccine biological products. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/emergency-preparedness-drugs/emergency-use-authorizations-drugs-and-non-vaccine-biological-products. Accessed June 30, 2026.

Disclosures: Healio could not determine relevant financial disclosures at the time of publication.

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TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: covid19; emergencyuse; health; hhs; medical; vaccines

[logi_cal869]

“Americans deserve a regulatory system that is transparent, accountable and rooted in the rule of law,” Kennedy Jr. said in a press release. “By ending these COVID-19 emergency use authorization declarations, we’re reinforcing public confidence that emergency authorities are temporary and targeted.”

...and yet it took 526 DAYS for him to take action.

I'd tattoo that on RFK Jr's forehead.

[BenLurkin]

“we’re reinforcing public confidence that emergency authorities are temporary”

Yeah well how about this: No more emergency declarations at all? At least not while the normal mechanisms of governance are intact.

[IWONDR]

So why has the CDC signed contracts with Moderna for about $360 + million to produce more covid vaxx for children and adults when so few Americans are wanting the vaxx now? Which Congress critters are hoping their pharmaceutical stock will increase in value at the expense of lives, and hoping for future employment opportunities should voters decide to retire these self serving leeches.

[maddog55]

Only 2 years late...