FDA and CDC take action to increase access to respirators, including N95s, for health care personnel

FDA-CDC collaboration to prioritize access to needed medical products through Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) 

• Certain industrial respirators during the COVID-19 outbreak in health care settings
• Respirators approved by NIOSH, but not currently meeting the FDA’s requirements, that may be effective in preventing health care personnel from airborne COVID-19 exposure

EUA does NOT apply to the general American public

• Should not wear these respirators to protect against COVID-19
• No added health benefit

FDA information

CDC information

Image credit: FDA