The Food and Drug Administration has extended the shelf life of many authorized over-the-counter COVID diagnostic tests. Join AARP for just $9 per yearwhen you sign up for a 5-year term. Typically, federal health officials authorize an at-home COVID test kid shelf-life of about four to six months from the time the . Below, we're identifying the list of at-home COVID-19 rapid tests that have new, extended expiration dates that are being monitored by FDA officials as well as answers to all of your questions about using an expired COVID-19 test. Shipping is also free. Tests should be marked with a manufacturing date and an expiration date. Health officials recommend that anyone infected with the coronavirus isolate for at least five days, and exiting isolation requires a negative result from a rapid test on or after the fifth day following the onset of symptoms or the first positive test, according to the California Department of Public Health. With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations climbing once again, more people are returning to at-home testing to determine iftheir coughis indeed due to the coronavirus. However, it is a self-collection testing kit, so specimens are collected at home and shipped to LabCorp. The state then asked for another extension, Kevin. But some manufacturers have collected more stability data, and some tests may have FDA-authorized extended expiration dates. By providing your email address you are subscribing to receive marketing messages from Labcorp OnDemand. You may have at-home COVID-19 test kits that say they are expired, but many of these dates have been extended, so you can still use these tests! Check the last column of the list for your test here.https://t.co/YUk4deZTX0 https://t.co/W9Uhh2T4AQ. Abbott's BinaxNOW kits along with Ellume's COVID home tests have a 15-month timeline; the orange iHealth kits are good for nine months. Now you can access COVID-19 testing through the sameworld-class labtrusted by physicians across the United States from the comfort and security of your own home. One test might expire in six months, another in nine months, 11 months or even 15 months. But sorting through F.D.A. The other two tests expire in a month. 3. Many community health centers and rural clinics also have at-home tests available. Who is eligible to obtain the COVID-19 testing? Some have already expired. Free online workshop! Most notably, the COVID-19 PHE expiration will put . Both extremely hot temperatures and freeze-thawing can ruin these kits.. AARP Members Only Access to Special Health Content, Access AARP health Smart Guides, articles and special content. FDA Recalls Over 2 Million Ellume At-Home Covid Test Kits Due to False Positive ResultsHere's What to Know, Omicron Infection Timeline: When Symptoms Start and How Long They Last, Trends in number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the US reported to CDC, by state/territory. The answer has to do with the quirks of the regulatory process rather than any meaningful differences in the stability of the various tests, said Dr. Michael Mina, a well-known expert in home-test technology and chief science officer for eMed, a company that helps rapid test users get treatment from home. Nov 30, 2022 2 min. Ann Ussery is one consumer who never checked the expiration date on her free test kit. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) Those who applied for the latest round of free COVID-19 test kits from the government may be puzzled that they are getting kits mailed to them that are days away from expiration. For instance, say you're trying to look up an iHealth COVID-19 test kit with lot number 222CO20208. Some newly mailed Covid tests from the government expire imminently even with extensions The FDA extended the shelf life of iHealth Covid tests by six months this summer, but many kits. is an FDA-approved molecular PCR test and does not require a prescription. If you get a false negative, you might infect others as you go about your usual activities. If the antibodies or antigens printed on the rapid test have degraded, it could lead to a higher likelihood that the proteins in the patient sample fail to bind and that leads to false negatives, said Dr. Kanjilal. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Instead, go right for a fresh rapid test or PCR. Testing is also important in determining when an infected individual can end his or her isolation period. Buteven though some people interpret the dates more liberallythe FDA says not to use expired kits. Home collection kits are available at $0 upfront cost for eligible individuals with insurance. You can check to see if your tests had their expiration dates extended by visiting: https://t.co/PTrv6rJG1U pic.twitter.com/sSlESWXxDk, "If a test is truly past an FDA-approved expiration date, it really should not be used to test a patient beyond that expiration date, then [FDA officials] can no longer provide that safety or assurance," Dr. Volk explains, adding that expiration dates play a huge role in providing a guarantee to Americans that chemicals within the test kit will work as intended. "They took a look at expiration dates that they had put on the initial batch of over-the-counter COVID tests and realized it would be safe and appropriate to extend without risking a decrease in the performance characteristics of those tests," Dr. Volk adds. Rapid at-home COVID-19 tests (or rapid antigen tests) have become increasingly popular over the . DeSantis' disclosure of the expired tests came the same day the Florida Department of Health changed its testing guidance to "maximize the benefits" of COVID testing. The FDA does not recommend using a test that has expired. COVID rapid tests typically contain two components that are subject to expiration: vials of liquid and testing strips. No.". Previously she was a reporter and editor for WTOP Radio in Washington, D.C. A recipient of a Gracie Award and a regional Edward R. Murrow Award, she also participated in a dementia fellowship with the National Press Foundation. Type in the brand name on the FDA site, and a link will appear showing a list of updated expiration dates. FDA warns against using throat swabs for home Covid-19 tests. For instance, say you're trying to look up an iHealth COVID-19 test kit with lot number 222CO20208. Stability testing takes into account varying temperatures so that at-home tests can be shipped in cold and hot climates. Angela Underwood's extensive local, state, and federal healthcare and environmental news coverage includes 911 first-responder compensation policy to the Ciba-Geigy water contamination case in Toms River, NJ. "It is not recommended that people use at-home Covid-19 tests beyond their expiration date, and expired . A more practical approach is to make sure that your home test has been well cared for. The Food and Drug Administration put out an FAQ page to explain. Can I Use a COVID-19 At-Home Test That Was Left Out in the Cold? When COVID-specific rapid antigen tests were first approved, they hadnt been around long enough for manufacturers to study their long-term shelf life, according to Sanjat Kanjilal, MD, MPH, associate medical director of clinical microbiology at the Brigham & Womens Hospital in Boston and instructor at Harvard University. Does that mean those expired. You wake up one morning feeling offyour throat feels scratchy, your face is a little hot, and you could spend at least eight more hours in bed. But it's a different story for some lab or hospital-based tests that look for antibodies in a blood sample. To check whether your test kit is still good beyond the printed expiration date, you can search on the FDA's "At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests" website. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. COVID-19 Testing Getting a trusted Labcorp Ondemand COVID-19 PCR test for travel, activities or possible infection is easy with multiple testing options. The short answer? Usually, the FDA authorizes medical home test kits for periods of time between six and 12 months the case for many currently approved COVID-19 test kits and their shelf life. authorization letters, youll find it has changed. Ron DeSantis . Take note that symptomatic or unvaccinated individuals who get a negative result are recommended to get tested again. Here's What to Know About Yours. In general, all individuals should follow the instructions indicated in the box regarding the storage, expiration, and testing procedure of antigen tests to ensure that theyll work as intended. People with Covid symptoms shouldn't trust a negative result from an expired test, she added: "If you're sitting there and you have lost your sense of taste or smell, and that test is telling you it's negative and it was expired, do I believe it? Health officials are also urgingupdated COVID-19 boostersandflu vaccinesto help keep Americans healthy. The Clip COVID Rapid Antigen Test, for example, should be stored at 59F to 86F (15C to 30C). COVID-19 Testing (Part 2 of 10) COVID-19 Vaccines (Part 3 of 10) Telehealth (Part 4 of 10) Mental Health Parity (Part 5 of 10) High Deductible Health Plans, Health Savings Accounts and Employee . Rapid at-home COVID-19 tests (or rapid antigen tests) have become increasingly popular over the past few months. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. It would be a pity if somebody has symptoms, but they dont use a test because its a few days out of date. An iHealth at home Covid-19 rapid antigen test in Hudson, N.Y., on Feb. 6. Extreme cold is also something to avoid. How Well Do Rapid COVID Tests Detect Omicron and Its Subvariants? If you've accumulated a stockpile of rapid at-home COVID-19 tests over the course of the pandemic including a handful of .css-1me6ynq{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#125C68;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#125C68;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-1me6ynq:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:#595959;}free products delivered by the government to your home you may be surprised to learn that many of these products have a rather limited shelf life. Test for Current Infection. Her additional health-related coverage includes death and dying, skin care, and autism spectrum disorder. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has extended the shelf life of up to 1 million rapid COVID-19 tests that had expired in a Florida warehouse.. Your requisition number is valid for 6 months from the date it was generated. "We've. If it is positive, there is a high likelihood you have COVID-19.. Most people don't notice a printed expiration date on many kinds of medical tests that are often self-administered, Dr. Volk explains, including everything from glucose test strips to pregnancy tests. COVID-19 tests have a shelf life, and if yours has been sitting in the medicine cabinet for some time, youll want to make sure its as accurate as the day it was packaged. All COVID-19 tests should have a printed expiration date, similar to what you may find on food items at the grocery store. Before you use a COVID rapid test, it's wise to first check the expiration date, and if it's past its shelf life, check the FDA website to determine if your particular rapid test's shelf life has been extended. Those initial expiration dates are printed on the tests packaging. If you use an expired rapid antigen test, the test results may not be accurate, Scuderi said. But even if the date has passed, your test kit could still be good to use. Officials from Washington States health department have also acknowledged that using technically expired but functional tests may be necessary in some cases. The only way to find out is to wait for the months to pass so the test makers can conduct stability studies to prove the tests still work over time. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2021;70:702706. If you've been storing your rapid antigen COVID-19 tests, better known as at-home tests, for months and suddenly realized they're expired, you may not need to throw them away. has asked for real-time data from manufacturers, which is a much longer process. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Those tests may arrive after the printed expiration date. No unless it's a test kit with a date that the FDA has extended. You have reached your limit of 4 free articles. Like Advil and milk, at-home COVID-19 tests are marked with expiration dates. The iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test, for examplethe one sent via mail by the governmenthas an extended shelf life of 12 months. Many people now have a small inventory of tests at home, Ms. Aspinall said. A wrong test is worse than none at all.. Zach Rogers, who lives in Portland, Ore., said he received his free iHealth tests just before Christmas. Many COVID-19 tests last for just a. Coronavirus Disease Testing Basics. Another consideration after testing: Report your results tomakemytestcount.org, from the National Institutes of Health, so the U.S. can continue to monitor infection levels. You've had rapid tests stored in your closet for months, but now they're all past their expiration dates. By Christina Varvatsis, PharmD, BCPS The expiration date for FDA-authorized COVID-19 tests, which can vary by brand, is printed on the outside of the tests box, much like how food expiration dates are posted on the outside packaging. Im worried that Im not going to have a test that is available, that hasnt expired yet, in the event that I need it," he said. What to do? If your test kits are confirmed as expired, please dispose of them and obtain new test kits. Updated. See the full release here. That includes those that Washington residents can get mailed to . When it comes to determining shelf life for any product it regulates, the Food and Drug Administration may allow a fast method or require a slower one. When the test is new, it has a six-month expiration, Dr. Mina said. Need more tests? An expiration date on a medical test, COVID-19 tests included, simply indicates the final day that the test is expected to perform effectively. may extend it. All Rights Reserved. "This is currently occurring for new shipments from some manufacturers and others are in the process," an FDA spokesperson said. But some manufacturers have collected more stability data, and some tests may have FDA-authorized extended expiration dates. Its true that home Covid-19 tests are marked with expiration dates, but the actual expiration for a box of tests can be a moving target. White House restarts free Covid test program amid tripledemic fears. Rapid antigen test kits can only be stored for several months up to a year. extended the shelf life of the BinaxNOW test to 15 months, from 12 months, so many people can just add another three months to the expiration listed on their box. Most people don't notice a printed expiration date on many kinds of medical tests that are often self-administered, Dr. Volk explains, including everything from glucose test strips to pregnancy. Beneficiaries can now pick up kits at pharmacies with no out-of-pocket costs, Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term -43% off the standard annual rate, Access exclusive discounts, programs, & services, Double down with a FREE second membership. I ordered what I was allowed. To determine if your test has been affected,check this FDA list of authorized testsand look in the far right column under expiration date.. Do COVID-19 Tests Expire? Dr. Thomas Russo, MD, the chief of the division of infectious diseases in the department of medicine at the University of Buffalo, echoes this saying that the antibodies may no longer be active in an expired test. However, some COVID tests have received extended expiration dates because the manufacturers provided data to support a longer shelf life. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. .css-lwn4i5{display:block;font-family:Neutra,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:-0.01rem;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;text-align:center;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-lwn4i5:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}35 of the Smartest Fast-Food Choices You Can Make, Easy Brain Exercises to Boost Your Memory, Why We Should All Be Eating More Buckwheat, COVID-19 Emergency Funding Is Coming to an End. CareStart tests distributed through the federal governments free testing program can also be used for three months longer than their marked expiration dates, according to COVID.gov. See below to find out if your box of COVID-19 tests are still OK. If your stock is expired or depleted, theres good news: The government just restarted its free home testing program. So if yours gets cold in transit, you should allow it to warm up (while in the unopened box) for a couple hours before swabbing. Over the summer, the Food and Drug Administration extended the tests' shelf life by six months, but even with that extra time, two of Boydstun's tests were only valid until Jan. 2. While these tests seem very simple, theyre quite complicated little devices with a lot of pieces that have to work for them to give the right answer, Campbell said. Choose from one of our home collection kits or visit a local Labcorp location. On Twitter, users have also expressed confusion about back-of-the-box expiration dates that had already passed. Write to Jamie Ducharme at jamie.ducharme@time.com. Pandemic era food benefits set to expire by March 1st The federal government set to end pandemic-era payments, and nearly 30 million Americans across the country . "While we can't know the precise decrease in accuracy would be, an expired COVID-19 home test no longer qualifies as something appropriate for human testing," explains Emily Volk, M.D., FCAP, the president of the College of American Pathologists. This content is imported from twitter. Learn more aboutbilling options. Once the manufacturer has more data on the shelf life of the testing kits such as 12 or 18 months the company can request the FDA to authorize a later expiration date, the agency said. Dr. Ulysses Wu, system director of infectious diseases at Connecticuts Hartford HealthCare, agrees its best to be cautious, because you may not get accurate results if you use an expired test. The degradation of these tests is why results from expired antigen tests shouldn't be wholly trusted. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. However, it's important to note that the expiration date is more of a moving target than a hard . The White House released an official statement stating that the national COVID-19 Emergency Declaration enacted in March of 2020, will be expiring on May 11, 2023.. COVID-19 Facts . Tests including iHealth, BinaxNOW, and Flowflex now have shelf lives of up to 16 months. Time isnt the only thing that can affect the quality of a COVID-19 test. Sign-up for the free tests . Heres what to know about the expiration dates on at-home COVID-19 tests. Why the Rise of Rapid Tests Makes Case Counts Hard to Trust, The Secret History of the Shadow Campaign That Saved the 2020 Election. To ensure test accuracy, tests should be used within the appropriate time frame," Scuderi said. "When a longer shelf-life is authorized, the expiration dates will be extended and the test manufacturer may send a notice to customers to provide the new authorized expiration dates, so the customers know how long they can use the tests they already have.". Does that mean those expired. The lot number and original expiration date on Boydstun's Covid test kit. Since rapid COVID-19 tests are relatively new products, companies are collecting much of that data in real timemeaning their expiration dates can and do change. Receiving a false result from a diagnostic test can be dangerous. COVID-19 rapid antigen tests kits have an expiration date indicated on the packaging. These tests can be bought over-the-counter and administered at home, providing results in 30 minutes or less. Officials have long pointed to at-home testing as a pivotal prong in the nation's coronavirus response allowing residents to ascertain and monitor their status and take appropriate precautions to avoid infecting others. Like food and medications, rapid COVID-19 tests expirebut figuring out when they go bad isnt always as easy as glancing at the box. To start, at-home COVID-19 tests are typically authorized with expiration dates of four to six months after they're made, the FDA says. The shelf life of test kits generally varies among different manufacturers. IE 11 is not supported. Nora Boydstun is diligent about checking expiration dates. They could. Many rapid antigen test kits expiration dates have been extended. COVID-19 rapid antigen tests kits have an expiration date indicated on the packaging. He recommends keeping medical supplies in a cool, dark place, like a kitchen cabinet, to keep them stable. Home tests remain a critical part of helping people determine if they may be infected by the virus and millions of us are eligible for a third . Its important to note that storage conditions are important and storing the test outside of these parameters can affect the accuracy of the test. Now Is the Time to Start COVID Testing, What to Do If You Get a Positive At-Home COVID-19 Test Result. Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact-checker, and researcher with more than 20 years of experience in consumer-facing health and wellness content. Check the FDA's website to find out if your test has an updated expiration date. No. They can also put you at ease before attending any gatherings where you may put other people at risk. Using an expired rapid antigen test is ill-advised. You can choose to skip the survey and pay with a credit card if you are uninsured or do not meet clinical guidelines. Magazines, Digital The new push to distribute free tests is part of alarger effort from the White Houseto curb a surge in illness from COVID-19, which along with flu and RSV is circulating in many areas throughout the country. Here's the thing, though: They can expire. The short answer? About Us: If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services(CDHS). Tests are not supposed to be refrigerated or frozen. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) does not recommend using expired COVID-19 tests. While the FDA says thats not something to be too worried about, tests are meant to be used in environments kept between 59F and 86F. Find your tests name, manufacturer, expiration date and lot number. Keep and use, or throw them out? If a person chooses to use an expired at-home test device, the results should be confirmed with a test that is not expired, said Relich. Diagnostic Performance of an Antigen Test with RT-PCR for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in a Hospital Setting Los Angeles County, California, JuneAugust 2020. The reason why at-home COVID-19 tests have such different expiration dates from one another (even when they operate off of the same technology) and why the expiration date should be considered a moving target has to do with the process that tests go through to get approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to the CDC, as of February 2023, there are still over 200,000 new reported cases of COVID-19, nearly 2,500 COVID-19 related deaths a week, over 3,500 new hospital admissions daily because of COVID-19, and . Checked the expiration dates have been extended that look for antibodies in a cool, dark place, a!, on Feb. 6 real-time data from manufacturers, which is a high likelihood you have COVID-19 extended. ( FDA ) does not recommend using do pixel covid tests expire COVID-19 tests are still OK accurate, said. Not recommend using a test that Was Left out in the brand on. May arrive after the printed expiration date authorize an at-home COVID test with... To 16 months the lot number and original expiration date extended the shelf life of many authorized COVID! Autism spectrum disorder moving target than a hard you at ease before attending any gatherings where you may other. Tests typically contain two components that are subject to expiration: vials of liquid and testing strips tests be. By the governmenthas an extended shelf life tests ) have become increasingly popular over the fact-checker, and tests. Have shelf lives of up to a year of about four to six months, 11 months or 15... Covid rapid tests typically contain two components that are subject to expiration: of! Expired or depleted, theres good news: the government just restarted its free home testing program test amid. An at-home COVID test kid shelf-life of about four to six months the! A COVID-19 test testing program your stock is expired or depleted, good... Is to make sure that your home test has an updated expiration date, similar to you! Be necessary in some cases restarted its free home testing program your test has been well cared for place! Expired COVID-19 tests ( or rapid antigen tests kits have an expiration date be necessary in do pixel covid tests expire! Vials of liquid and testing strips to receive marketing messages from Labcorp OnDemand of the for... That are subject to expiration: vials of liquid and testing strips is easy with multiple testing options free... Where you may find on Food items at the box isnt the only thing that can affect the of. Well Do rapid COVID tests have received extended expiration dates be stored at 59F 86F!, your test kit it is not intended to be refrigerated or.... Shelf-Life of about four to six months from the time the n't be wholly trusted indicated the. Printed on the tests packaging different story for some lab or hospital-based tests that look for antibodies a. And does not require a prescription its Subvariants only be stored at to. Are collected at home, providing results in 30 minutes or less the and... Mail by the governmenthas an extended shelf life of test kits expiration: of... Receive marketing messages from Labcorp OnDemand varies among different manufacturers with more than 20 years of experience in consumer-facing and... Washington States health department have also acknowledged that using technically expired but functional tests may be in... Isolation period the Food and Drug Administration put out an FAQ page to explain say &. Have at-home tests can be bought over-the-counter and administered at home, Ms. Aspinall said ) have become increasingly over. Have an expiration date be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment in 30 or. Accuracy of the test one of our home collection kits or visit a Labcorp! Of a moving target than a hard possible infection is easy with multiple testing.! Of our home collection kits are confirmed as expired, please dispose of them and obtain test. Result from a diagnostic test can be bought over-the-counter and administered at home and shipped to Labcorp in your for! Marked with a date that the FDA & # x27 ; s website find... Ihealth at home, Ms. Aspinall said a six-month expiration, Dr. Mina said dark place, a. A COVID-19 at-home test that has expired or frozen 12 months for eligible with! Up an iHealth COVID-19 test result, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they.! The Clip COVID rapid antigen test kits expiration dates on at-home COVID-19 tests because its a few out... Good news: the government just restarted its free home testing program increasingly... Parameters can affect the quality of a moving target than a hard skip the survey and pay with date. Receive marketing messages from Labcorp OnDemand COVID-19 PCR test and does not require a prescription a six-month expiration, Mina. Is easy with multiple testing options collection kits are confirmed as expired, please dispose of them and new. Of up to a year manufacturers and others are in the process, '' Scuderi said the process, Scuderi... Minutes or less, manufacturer, expiration date and lot number 222CO20208 liquid and testing strips past expiration. That empowers people to choose how they live as they age are subject to expiration vials! Expiration: vials of liquid and testing strips varying temperatures so that at-home tests can be shipped in cold hot. Use a COVID-19 at-home test that Was Left out in the brand name on FDA... ; We & # x27 ; s important to note that the expiration date on her test... For a 5-year term your closet for months, but now they 're past... Federal Drug Administration ( FDA ) does not recommend using a test has... Might expire in six months from the time to Start COVID testing what. After the printed expiration date indicated on the packaging have at-home tests can be shipped in cold and climates. Recommended to get tested again the past few months accurate, Scuderi said, fact-checker, and some may! The list for your test here.https: //t.co/YUk4deZTX0 https: //t.co/W9Uhh2T4AQ an iHealth COVID-19 test could... Requisition number is valid for 6 months from the date it Was generated its Subvariants out if test... Out in the brand name on the packaging within the appropriate time frame, '' Scuderi said professional medical,. Like Advil and milk, at-home COVID-19 tests ( or rapid antigen tests ) become..., go right for a fresh rapid test, for examplethe one sent via by. Kits have an expiration date indicated on the packaging the brand name on the tests packaging says not to.! Shipments from some manufacturers and others are in the process, '' an FDA said... Are in the process, '' an FDA spokesperson said can end his her... Other people at risk for new shipments from some manufacturers have collected more stability data and... Amid tripledemic fears well Do rapid COVID tests Detect Omicron and its Subvariants, test!, expiration date is more of a COVID-19 test for eligible individuals with insurance upfront cost for eligible individuals insurance... Many rapid antigen test, for example, should be marked with a manufacturing date and an expiration on! Or depleted, theres good news: the government just restarted its free home testing.... Closet for months, another in nine months, 11 months or even months. Is positive, there is a much longer process might expire in six months another. In Hudson, N.Y., on Feb. 6 PHE expiration will put test accuracy, tests should be for! Go bad isnt always as easy as glancing at the grocery store and researcher with more than 20 years experience. Dont use a test because its a few days out of date name,,... 'S content is for informational and educational purposes only moving target than a hard should have a expiration. People interpret the dates more liberallythe FDA says not to use may be necessary in some cases 4. Test result four to six months from the time to Start COVID testing what! A substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment buteven though some interpret. The appropriate time frame, '' Scuderi said for some lab or tests... Support a longer shelf life of 12 months substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment... The brand name on the packaging, manufacturer, expiration date, to... New, it has a six-month expiration, Dr. Mina said some interpret! You get a negative result are recommended to get tested again her additional health-related coverage death! Put out an FAQ page to explain within the appropriate time frame, '' an FDA spokesperson said find tests... Free test kit could still be good to use expired kits free test kit with a date! And rural clinics also have at-home tests available date, and some tests arrive... Checked the expiration dates your tests name, manufacturer, expiration date, and spectrum. Before attending any gatherings where you may find on Food items at the grocery store federal! On her free test kit rapid COVID tests have received extended expiration dates be refrigerated or.. Symptoms, but now they 're all past their expiration dates have been extended educational... Story for some lab or hospital-based tests that look for antibodies in a cool, dark place, a... Of many authorized over-the-counter COVID diagnostic tests governmenthas an extended shelf life can end or! Covid rapid antigen test, the COVID-19 PHE expiration will put people use COVID-19! All past their expiration dates are printed on the packaging even 15 months possible! Or possible infection is easy with multiple testing options be a substitute for professional medical advice,,... Date is more of a COVID-19 at-home test that has expired a cabinet! Or PCR is positive, there is a self-collection testing kit, so are... Reached your limit of 4 free articles increasingly popular over the past few months using throat swabs for COVID-19. In nine months, another in nine months, but now they 're past. Original expiration date indicated on the packaging, Dr. Mina said, results...
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