The end of the Covid health emergency won't slow FDA clearance of shots and treatments

The end of the Covid health emergency won't slow FDA clearance of shots and treatments

Vials and a medical syringe seen displayed in front of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States logo. FDA finds the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday said its emergency authorizations of Covid vaccines, tests and treatments will not be impacted by the end of the public health emergency this spring.

The FDA's emergency powers, however, aren't directly tied to public health declaration, according to the agency.

Former Health Secretary Alex Azar made under the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act that the circumstances of the pandemic justified the authorization of vaccines, treatments and tests for emergency use.

"Existing emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for products will remain in effect and the agency may continue to issue new EUAs going forward when criteria for issuance are met," The FDA wrote in post on Twitter Monday.

Emergency authorizations allow the FDA to roll out medical products before they receive the agency's full approval. This allows the agency to respond more swiftly to public health crises.