End of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

The federal government’s COVID-19 public health emergency declaration ended at the end of the day on May 11, 2023. 

Virginia’s Public Health Emergency also ended at the end of the day on May 11, 2023. 

No. Ending the public health emergency declaration does not mean that COVID-19 is gone or that the pandemic is over. It simply means that the “emergency phase” of the federal government’s COVID-19 response is ending. CDC and VDH will continue to have active responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the World Health Organization, the COVID-19 pandemic is not over. 

Because COVID-19 continues to be present, people should continue to take steps to protect themselves and others: 

• Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines 
• Get tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms of the illness 
• Stay home if you are sick with COVID-19 and get treated as soon as possible if you are at risk for severe COVID-19. 

Yes. The end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) declaration will not affect EUAs for vaccines, treatments, or tests. EUAs are separate and not dependent on a PHE declaration. See the FDA’s FAQs on what happens to EUAs when a public health emergency ends. 

Yes. CDC recommends that all individuals aged six months is eligible to receive at least one dose of a 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine which protects against variants that are currently circulating. Visit the CDC website to learn more about staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines.  To find a vaccine appointment, visit vaccinate.virginia.gov, call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682), or text your zip code to GETVAX (438829) for English or VACUNA (822862) for Spanish. 

Yes. As of November 11, 2023, the drug Lagevrio (molnupiravir) is available only by purchasing it commercially for private medical practices, pharmacies, hospitals, and free clinics. Federally qualified health centers that are supported by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) can continue to order free Lagevrio from the U.S. Government (USG) at this time. It is important to note that Lagevrio is NOT FDA approved, but continues to be under an FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).

On December 16, 2023, the drug Paxlovid will only be available for commercial purchase for private organizations such as pharmacies, physician offices, etc. Federal government agencies can continue to order Paxlovid at no cost from the current USG supply.  

Another notable change regarding the drug Paxlovid will occur on March 8, 2024—this is the last day that EUA-labeled Paxlovid can be dispensed according to a regulatory directive from the FDA. After March 8, 2024, only NDA-labeled Paxlovid can be dispensed. EUA-labeled Paxlovid will no longer be FDA authorized after March 8, 2024. After March 8, 2024, all EUA-labeled Paxlovid (whether expired or unexpired) must either be returned to the manufacturer or disposed of in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations. For information about returning Paxlovid, see www.paxlovideuareturns.com, or email PaxlovidEUAreturns@inmar.com, or call 877-740-6148. 

It’s important to remember that even though EUA-labeled Paxlovid will no longer be in use after March 8, 2024, the medication Paxlovid still remains under an active EUA when used in children aged 12 through 17 years. In this age group, Paxlovid is not currently FDA approved. In adults (people ≥ 18 years), Paxlovid is an FDA approved product. 

For more information about the transition of Lagevrio and Paxlovid from being supplied by the USG to availability through the commercial marketplace, please see a guide put together by the U.S. Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response titled “Sunsetting the U.S. Government COVID-19 Therapeutics Distribution Program.” This booklet was last updated on February 1, 2024. The booklet also contains useful information about how uninsured and underinsured patients can obtain Lagevrio and/or Paxlovid at no or minimal cost through the end of 2024. 

Yes, for eligible organizations. The VDH COVID-19 Testing Team will continue to distribute free at-home/point-of-care tests through the remainder of our grants ending in July 2024. Requests can be made using the VDH At-Home/Point-of-Care Request Form. Organizations eligible to receive free tests include: 

• Local Health Departments  
• Confinement Facilities (adult prisons and jails; juvenile confinement facilities; police lockups; community treatment centers, halfway houses, restitution centers, mental health facilities, alcohol or drug rehabilitation centers)  
• Free Clinics  
• Food Banks (only facilities that primarily consider themselves a food bank) 
• Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) 
• Homeless Services Providers  
• Public libraries enrolled in the Supporting Testing Access through Community Collaboration (STACC) program 
• K-12 Schools 
• Childcare facilities (via local health districts) 

For Virginia-related benefits please visit Virginia Department of Social Services and Virginia Medicaid: COVID-19: Return to Normal Enrollment. For people who have lost Virginia Medicaid coverage, please go to www.healthcare.gov too see health insurance plans that you and your family may be eligible for under the Affordable Care Act.

For information from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) please visit CMS Public Health Emergency FAQs.  

For more information, please visit: 

• CDC’s End of the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Declaration webpage  
• White House Fact Sheet: Actions Taken by the Biden-⁠Harris Administration to Ensure Continued COVID-⁠19 Protections and Surge Preparedness After Public Health Emergency Transition 
• HHS COVID-19 Public Health Emergency 
• KFF: The End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: Details on Health Coverage and Access