Biden Administration Allocates $600M for At-Home COVID Tests to Prevent Shortages
The Biden administration has recently announced a funding of $600 million in order to produce new at-home COVID-19 tests while relaunching a website where Americans can once again order up to four free tests per household. This initiative aims to prevent possible shortages of testing kits during the expected rise in coronavirus cases that typically occur in colder months.
The Department of Health and Human Services has stated that orders can be placed at COVIDTests.gov starting September 25th, and these tests will be delivered for free by the United States Postal Service.
To replenish federal stockpiles and meet the demand for tests ordered online, twelve manufacturers employing hundreds of people across seven states have been awarded funding. They will produce 200 million over-the-counter tests. This effort is intended to guard against potential supply chain issues that caused shortages of at-home COVID tests made overseas during previous surges in cases.
Dawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at HHS, emphasized the importance of at-home testing to slow the spread of new cases, even if some people may be tired of the pandemic. O’Connell mentioned that the virus is still circulating and that cases tend to increase during the fall and winter seasons. The website will remain functional through the holidays, and O’Connell mentioned the possibility of keeping it open even longer if there is an increase in cases.
The COVID tests that will be produced are designed to detect the currently circulating COVID variants and are expected to be available for use by the end of the year. The manufacturers will spread out the production of the 200 million tests for federal use over 18 months, allowing them to focus on meeting the increasing demand for home tests as cases rise. Additionally, the tests will come with instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates.
This funding initiative builds upon previous efforts by federal officials and the U.S. Postal Service, which provided over 755 million tests for free to homes nationwide. It also complements ongoing efforts to provide free COVID tests to various institutions and underserved communities.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to reducing reliance on overseas manufacturing and addressing vulnerabilities in the U.S. supply chain. The investments made will bolster domestic production capacity for at-home COVID-19 rapid tests and help mitigate the spread of the virus.
In conclusion, the Biden administration’s allocation of $600 million for at-home COVID tests and the relaunch of a website for free test ordering aims to ensure an ample supply of testing kits and prevent shortages during the anticipated rise in cases. This initiative emphasizes the importance of at-home testing as a key measure to slow down the spread of the virus.
