Credit FDA
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Last January the U.S. government announced that all American households were eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID test kits. A 2nd round of 4 test kits was offered in March, and a 3rd round of (8) test kits in May.
In August, the government announced the Last Call For Free At-Home COVID Test Kits, but stated that kits might be offered again sometime in the future.
As we've previously discussed, all of these test kits have a limited shelf-life, and while most of their original expiration dates have now passed, many have been granted an extension (see FDA Extends Shelf Life Of More At-Home COVID Test Kits).
These extensions vary by manufacturer, and not every home test kit has been granted an extension. You'll need to go to the FDA website and check your kit(s), against their list.
My first batch of home test kits was originally set to expire in late July, but has since been extended (twice) by the FDA to January 2023.
So be sure to double check the FDA extension list before discarding any `expired' kits.
Today the Government Website (see below) has gone live again, offering 4 free home test kits to every U.S. household. Simply fill out the form provided. Kits will begin to ship next week.
Take an at-home test:
- If you begin having COVID-19 symptoms like fever, sore throat, runny nose, or loss of taste or smell, or
- At least 5 days after you come into close contact with someone with COVID-19, or
- When you’re going to gather with a group of people, especially those who are at risk of severe disease or may not be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines
