Free Covid Home Test program resuming Monday

[Marrila]

Did you check first to see if the date had been extended. I've had tests that were extended more than a year beyond the original expiration date.

Just so people aren't throwing away things unnecessarily make sure first to see if it was on the extension lists.

This is probably a personal decision. I'm ok with extending a few months. But trying to sell me on extending the expiration by a year? I'm not likely buying that. I'll purchase new tests with valid dates far into the future.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

This is probably a personal decision. I'm ok with extending a few months. But trying to sell me on extending the expiration by a year? I'm not likely buying that. I'll purchase new tests with valid dates far into the future.

Agreed-but more below.


Whether the test is not advised to be used because it's past the date without an extension being sent by the Federal government is what I was speaking to.

Toss or don't toss but I think context for other people would be helpful here so they aren't just throwing away tests without checking the extension first. And it would be a shame if people didn't order tests because of a comment but then they got something completely different than the PP.

As a random example I'm looking at the brand I currently have which is FlowFlex and while mine is far out enough (it was just purchased in April) looking at the list its shelf life is 24 months (originally 12 months so it would seem based on the list of extensions). Last extension on FlowFlex looks like ones originally expiring March 2023 was updated to March 2024. Personal decision if you want to use that but remember these tests are constantly retested to ensure accuracy and the initial shelf life.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Received the tests in todays mail.
They expired over a year ago.
I tossed them in the trash.
I would not have faith in accuracy on a test that expired that long ago.

They sent you tests that expired over a year ago? Why did they even bother?

Because they are using up the stock of tests they originally had for sending out. Many of those had short expiration dates because they didn't know how long they were actually good for. There's a site where you can look up "expired" tests to see if the expiration dates have been extended.k From the FDA website:

Now available, U.S. households are eligible to order 4 free COVID-19 tests at www.COVIDTests.gov. The COVID-19 tests will detect current COVID-19 variants and can be used through the end of the year.

Many COVID-19 tests have extended expiration dates, so you may be able to use your COVID-19 tests after the expiration date that is printed on the box. To find out if your test has an extended expiration date, check the list of extended expiration dates.

 

[lilmc]

Received the tests in todays mail.
They expired over a year ago.
I tossed them in the trash.
I would not have faith in accuracy on a test that expired that long ago.

They’ve extended the dates. And I know a physician who just used their expired ones (and tested positive)

 

[disneychrista]

Received the tests in todays mail.
They expired over a year ago.
I tossed them in the trash.
I would not have faith in accuracy on a test that expired that long ago.

They said right on the website where you ordered them from that the tests might show an expiration date that has past but to check the list to see the extended expiration date. Also if you feel like crap and the test says positive, then you are likely positive. If the test says negative and you feel like crap, THEN I might consider taking a second test

 

[Southernmiss]

They said right on the website where you ordered them from that the tests might show an expiration date that has past but to check the list to see the extended expiration date. Also if you feel like crap and the test says positive, then you are likely positive. If the test says negative and you feel like crap, THEN I might consider taking a second test

Exactly.

I was positive. Dh was negative. But I started with symptoms first.

We assumed we both had it as his symptoms were the same and I'm the person he had closest contact with in that time frame.

Isn't it in pharmaceutical world that meds are just not as effective after they expire, not that they completely don't work on their expiration date.

They still have some helpful ingredients, just not as much as early on.

 

[focusondisney]

Because they are using up the stock of tests they originally had for sending out. Many of those had short expiration dates because they didn't know how long they were actually good for. There's a site where you can look up "expired" tests to see if the expiration dates have been extended.k From the FDA website:

Exactly! The tests were newly developed so of course manufacturers had no data on how long they would be good for. As time has gone on, they have that data & are able to extend the expiration dates. The government purchased those tests for a national stockpile with our taxes. I’d much rather they offer the tests that are close to their expiration date back to us taxpayers instead of just throwing them out. Especially at a time when Covid rates are high again. Maybe a few people that wouldn’t actually pay for a test will use a free one & take precautions if they’re positive. Can you imagine the uproar if people found out millions of dollars worth of tests were thrown out instead of being used?

 

[Southernmiss]

Exactly! The tests were newly developed so of course manufacturers had no data on how long they would be good for. As time has gone on, they have that data & are able to extend the expiration dates. The government purchased those tests for a national stockpile with our taxes. I’d much rather they offer the tests that are close to their expiration date back to us taxpayers instead of just throwing them out. Especially at a time when Covid rates are high again. Maybe a few people that wouldn’t actually pay for a test will use a free one & take precautions if they’re positive. Can you imagine the uproar if people found out millions of dollars worth of tests were thrown out instead of being used?

Yep.

I've taken expired OTC meds a time or two. No ill effects.

 

[disneychrista]

Exactly! The tests were newly developed so of course manufacturers had no data on how long they would be good for. As time has gone on, they have that data & are able to extend the expiration dates. The government purchased those tests for a national stockpile with our taxes. I’d much rather they offer the tests that are close to their expiration date back to us taxpayers instead of just throwing them out. Especially at a time when Covid rates are high again. Maybe a few people that wouldn’t actually pay for a test will use a free one & take precautions if they’re positive. Can you imagine the uproar if people found out millions of dollars worth of tests were thrown out instead of being used?

My younger daughter assumed she was positive but never took a test because she didn't have any. And being that she lives 3 hours away, mom couldn't bring her some, like I did with my older daughter when she had COVID around the same time. She probably went back to work too soon because again she wasn't testing, just going by symptoms. I sent her the info to order herself some just in case.

 

[LuvOrlando]

My younger daughter assumed she was positive but never took a test because she didn't have any. And being that she lives 3 hours away, mom couldn't bring her some, like I did with my older daughter when she had COVID around the same time. She probably went back to work too soon because again she wasn't testing, just going by symptoms. I sent her the info to order herself some just in case.

Such a good point, younger people are much less likely to spend in advance.

My kids would use them if sick and are ok with Plaxlovid or Tamiflu but would never pay in advance to keep tests on hand, which is a shame because it is so much cheaper and less disruptive than a Dr visit. I tend to drop them off when I visit

 

[disneychrista]

FYI I received my tests today. They are OHC brand with an original expiration date of 12/26/23. A quick look revealed that they have an extended expiration date of 12/26/24.

 

[Christine]

FYI I received my tests today. They are OHC brand with an original expiration date of 12/26/23. A quick look revealed that they have an extended expiration date of 12/26/24.

Same here, although my date was 12/29. So they have about 3 months left on them. I guess it's better than nothing.

 

[jo-jo]

FYI I received my tests today. They are OHC brand with an original expiration date of 12/26/23. A quick look revealed that they have an extended expiration date of 12/26/24.

Mine are same brand and are 1/31/24, so good until 1/31/25. At least they are good until we get back from disney.

 

[starry_solo]

FYI I received my tests today. They are OHC brand with an original expiration date of 12/26/23. A quick look revealed that they have an extended expiration date of 12/26/24.

That's the brand I got too.
I had some "expired tests" from last year, "expired March 2024" and found out the expiration date had been extended 6 months to late September 2024. Still gave them to family that needed to test this week. I figured, what's 8 days past expiration?

*says the person who takes expired OTC a year or so later* lol

 

[jo-jo]

Yep.

I've taken expired OTC meds a time or two. No ill effects.

Or 17 or 20 times

I take ibuprofen now and again, for real pain I take the hard stuff, naproxim sodium. So not too often. Took some last week. Expired two years ago.

How ever with nothing to base my opinion on, I think solid meds are more stable, than liquid test kits.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Article on aging medications
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7040264/

paragraph 8
"excluding nitroglycerin, insulin, and liquid antibiotics, most medications are as long-lasting as the ones tested by the military. Placing a medication in a cool place, such as a refrigerator, will help a drug remain potent for many years."

paragraph 10
"It has been reported that bioavailability of EpiPen® (epinephrine auto-injectors) were reduced when administered between 1 to 90 months after the labelled expiration date compared with those that were not yet expired"

 

[jo-jo]

Last year, I got free tests in April 23, good until July 24. That was the extend dates. These tests from last week are good for 3 1/2 months. Again extended dates.