FDA/CDC Make More Respirators Available

FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have taken action to make more respirators available to health care personnel. Most respirators on the market today are indicated for use in industrial settings, an FDA notice says. The action grants an emergency use authorization to allow certain National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-approved respirators not currently regulated by FDA to be used in a health care setting by health care personnel during the coronavirus outbreak.

FDA notes that the action is intended to help increase the availability of certain respirators to health care personnel, and it does not apply to the public, “who should not wear these respirators to protect against COVID-19.” The agency added that it is not currently aware of specific widespread shortages of personal protective equipment, but there are reports of increased ordering of these products and shortages have been observed in some U.S. health care institutions.