HHS extends certain PREP Act liability protections beyond COVID-19 public health emergency

The Department of Health and Human Services May 11 amended its Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act declaration for COVID-19 to extend liability protections for certain COVID-19 countermeasure activities beyond the May 11 end of the public health emergency. Under the amendment, planned since April, PREP Act liability immunity will apply through 2024 to all COVID-19 medical countermeasure activities provided through a federal agreement; and to pharmacists, pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians who administer COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccines and COVID-19 tests, regardless of a federal agreement or emergency declaration, among other changes.