Biden Administration Extends PREP Act Liability Shield for COVID-19 Vaccines Until 2029, Despite End of Emergency

Dec 13, 2024, 04:42 PM

The Biden administration, through Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, has extended the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) declaration for COVID-19 countermeasures through December 31, 2029. This decision provides liability immunity to manufacturers, distributors, and administrators of COVID-19 vaccines and other countermeasures, except in cases of willful misconduct. The extension aims to prepare for and mitigate the credible risk presented by potential future outbreaks of COVID-19, despite the official end of the public health emergency in May 2023. Critics argue that this move benefits pharmaceutical companies by shielding them from legal accountability for vaccine-related injuries, while the administration insists it is necessary for public health preparedness.