Notice2026-10539
Notice of Declaration Under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act for Medical Countermeasures Against Andes Virus
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
May 27, 2026
Issuing agencies
Health and Human Services Department
Abstract
The Secretary is issuing a Declaration pursuant to section 319F-3 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6d) to provide liability protection for activities related to medical countermeasures against Andes virus consistent with the terms of the Declaration.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 101 (Wednesday, May 27, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 27, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31467-31471]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-10539]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Secretary
Notice of Declaration Under the Public Readiness and Emergency
Preparedness Act for Medical Countermeasures Against Andes Virus
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human
Services.
ACTION: Notice of declaration.
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SUMMARY: The Secretary is issuing a Declaration pursuant to section
319F-3 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6d) to provide
liability protection for activities related to medical countermeasures
against Andes virus consistent with the terms of the Declaration.
DATES: This declaration is effective as of the date of signature.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: L. Paige Ezernack, Administration for
Strategic Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, 400 7th St. SW, Washington, DC 20024; 202-260-0365,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#384859515f5d165d425d4a56595b537850504b165f574e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="aedecfc7c9cb80cbd4cbdcc0cfcdc5eec6c6dd80c9c1d8">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Public Readiness and Emergency
Preparedness (PREP) Act authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human
Services (the Secretary) to issue a Declaration to provide liability
immunity to certain individuals and entities (Covered Persons) against
any claim of loss caused by, arising out of, relating to, or resulting
from the manufacture, distribution, administration, or use of medical
countermeasures (Covered Countermeasures), except for claims involving
``willful misconduct'' as defined in the PREP Act. Under the PREP Act,
a Declaration may be amended as circumstances warrant. The PREP Act
also creates a compensation program. Liability immunity is addressed in
section 319F-3 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, 42 U.S.C. 247d-
6d, and the compensation program is addressed in section 319F-4 of the
PHS Act, 42 U.S.C. 247d-6e.
Andes virus is a type of hantavirus spread by rodents in South
America and, less commonly, by other infected people. The rodents that
carry Andes virus have not been found in the United States. It can
cause a severe respiratory disease in people, called Hantavirus
Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). Andes virus is the only type of hantavirus
that is known to spread person-to-person. This spread is usually
limited to people who have close contact with a sick person. This
includes direct physical contact, prolonged time spent in close or
enclosed spaces, and exposure to the sick person's body fluids.
HPS is a severe and potentially deadly disease that affects the
lungs. HPS can be life-threatening. Among patients who have severe
respiratory symptoms, the case fatality rate has been estimated at
approximately 38%. Symptoms of HPS caused by Andes virus usually appear
within 4-42 days after exposure. Early symptoms can include fever,
fatigue, and muscle aches, especially in large muscle groups like the
thighs, hips, back, or shoulders. Early symptoms such as fever,
headache, muscle aches, nausea, and fatigue can be easily confused with
influenza or other viral illnesses. About half of all HPS patients have
experienced headaches, dizziness, chills, and gastrointestinal
symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Late symptoms of HPS appear approximately 4-10 days after the initial
phase of illness and can include coughing, shortness of breath, and
chest tightness. Individuals are generally only infectious while
symptomatic.
Currently, there are no available antiviral treatments or vaccines
for HPS that are FDA-approved, or authorized by FDA for investigational
or emergency use.
On May 2, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) was notified of
a cluster of severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) among passengers
and crew of a cruise ship (the M/V Hondius) in the Atlantic Ocean. The
cluster included two deaths and one critically ill passenger, whose
laboratory tests confirmed hantavirus. On May 6, 2026, WHO confirmed
that the type of hantavirus responsible for this outbreak is the Andes
virus. As of May 8, 2026, WHO has reported eight cases (six confirmed
and two suspected), including three deaths.
The cruise ship departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, 2026,
and traveled across the South Atlantic Ocean, stopping at several
remote locations, including Antarctica, South Georgia Island, Tristan
da Cunha, Saint Helena, and Ascension Island. It carried 147 people (86
passengers and 61 crew) from 23 different countries. The United States
government repatriated 18 passengers from the cruise ship to the United
States on May 10 and 11, 2026.
Section I, Determination of Public Health Emergency or Credible Risk of
Future Public Health Emergency
Before issuing a Declaration under the PREP Act, the Secretary is
required to determine that a disease or other health condition or
threat to health constitutes a public health emergency or that there is
a credible risk that the disease, condition, or threat may constitute
such an emergency. Accordingly, in Section I, the Secretary determines
that the spread of Andes virus and the resulting disease HPS
constitutes a credible risk of a public health emergency for purposes
of this Declaration.
Section II, Factors Considered
In deciding whether and under what circumstances to issue a
Declaration
[[Page 31468]]
with respect to a Covered Countermeasure, the Secretary must consider
the desirability of encouraging the design, development, clinical
testing or investigation, manufacture, labeling, distribution,
formulation, packaging, marketing, promotion, sale, purchase, donation,
dispensing, prescribing, administration, licensing, and use of the
countermeasure. In Section II, the Secretary states that he has
considered these factors.
Section III, Recommended Activities
The Secretary must recommend the activities for which the PREP
Act's liability immunity is in effect. These activities may include,
under conditions as the Secretary may specify, the manufacture,
testing, development, distribution, administration, or use of one or
more Covered Countermeasures (Recommended Activities). In Section III,
the Secretary recommends activities for which the immunity is in
effect.
Section IV, Liability Immunity
The Secretary must also state that liability protections available
under the PREP Act are in effect with respect to the Recommended
Activities. These liability protections provide that, ``[s]ubject to
other provisions of [the PREP Act], a covered person shall be immune
from suit and liability under federal and state law with respect to all
claims for loss caused by, arising out of, relating to, or resulting
from the administration to or use by an individual of a covered
countermeasure if a Declaration has been issued with respect to such
countermeasure.'' In Section IV, the Secretary states that liability
protections are in effect with respect to the Recommended Activities.
Section V, Covered Persons
The PREP Act's liability immunity applies to ``Covered Persons''
with respect to administration or use of a Covered Countermeasure. The
term ``Covered Persons'' has a specific meaning and is defined in the
PREP Act to include manufacturers, distributors, program planners, and
qualified persons, and their officials, agents, and employees, and the
United States. The PREP Act further defines the terms ``manufacturer,''
``distributor,'' ``program planner,'' and ``qualified person'' as
described below.
A manufacturer includes a contractor or subcontractor of a
manufacturer; a supplier or licenser of any product, intellectual
property, service, research tool or component or other article used in
the design, development, clinical testing, investigation or
manufacturing of a Covered Countermeasure; and any or all the parents,
subsidiaries, affiliates, successors, and assigns of a manufacturer.
A distributor means a person or entity engaged in the distribution
of drugs, biologics, or devices, including but not limited to:
manufacturers; re-packers; common carriers; contract carriers; air
carriers; own-label distributors; private-label distributors; jobbers;
brokers; warehouses and wholesale drug warehouses; independent
wholesale drug traders; and retail pharmacies.
A program planner means a state or local government, including an
Indian tribe; a person employed by the state or local government; or
other person who supervises or administers a program with respect to
the administration, dispensing, distribution, provision, or use of a
Covered Countermeasure, including a person who establishes
requirements, provides policy guidance, or supplies technical or
scientific advice or assistance or provides a facility to administer or
use a Covered Countermeasure in accordance with the Secretary's
Declaration. Under this definition, a private sector employer or
community group or other ``person'' can be a program planner when it
carries out the described activities.
A qualified person means a licensed health professional or other
individual authorized to prescribe, administer, or dispense Covered
Countermeasures under the law of the state in which the Covered
Countermeasure was prescribed, administered, or dispensed; or a person
within a category of persons identified as qualified in the Secretary's
Declaration. Under this definition, the Secretary can describe in the
Declaration other qualified persons, such as volunteers, who are
Covered Persons. Section V describes other qualified persons covered by
this Declaration.
The PREP Act also defines the word ``person'' as used in the Act: A
person includes an individual, partnership, corporation, association,
entity, or public or private corporation, including a federal, state,
or local government agency or department.
Section V describes Covered Persons under the Declaration,
including Qualified Persons.
Section VI, Covered Countermeasures
As noted above, Section III describes the Secretary's Recommended
Activities for which liability immunity is in effect. This section
identifies the Covered Countermeasures for which the Secretary has
recommended such activities. The PREP Act states that a ``Covered
Countermeasure'' must be: A ``qualified pandemic or epidemic product,''
or a ``security countermeasure,'' as described immediately below; or a
drug, biological product or device authorized for emergency use in
accordance with Sections 564, 564A, or 564B of the FD&C Act.
A qualified pandemic or epidemic product means a drug or device, as
defined in the FD&C Act or a biological product, as defined in the PHS
Act that is: (i) Manufactured, used, designed, developed, modified,
licensed or procured to diagnose, mitigate, prevent, treat, or cure a
pandemic or epidemic or limit the harm such a pandemic or epidemic
might otherwise cause; (ii) manufactured, used, designed, developed,
modified, licensed, or procured to diagnose, mitigate, prevent, treat,
or cure a serious or life-threatening disease or condition caused by
such a drug, biological product, or device; (iii) or a product or
technology intended to enhance the use or effect of such a drug,
biological product, or device.
A security countermeasure is a drug or device, as defined in the
FD&C Act or a biological product, as defined in the PHS Act that:
(i)(a) The Secretary determines to be a priority to diagnose, mitigate,
prevent, or treat harm from any biological, chemical, radiological, or
nuclear agent identified as a material threat by the Secretary of
Homeland Security, or (b) to diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or treat harm
from a condition that may result in adverse health consequences or
death and may be caused by administering a drug, biological product, or
device against such an agent; and (ii) is determined by the Secretary
of Health and Human Services to be a necessary countermeasure to
protect public health.
To be a Covered Countermeasure, qualified pandemic or epidemic
products or security countermeasures also must be approved or cleared
under the FD&C Act; licensed under the PHS Act; or authorized for
emergency use under Sections 564, 564A, or 564B of the FD&C Act.
A qualified pandemic or epidemic product also may be a Covered
Countermeasure when it is subject to an exemption (that is, it is
permitted to be used under an Investigational New Drug (IND)
Application or an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE)) under the
FD&C Act and is the object of research for possible use for diagnosis,
mitigation, prevention, treatment, or cure, or to limit harm of a
pandemic or epidemic or serious or life-threatening condition caused by
such a drug or device.
[[Page 31469]]
A security countermeasure also may be a Covered Countermeasure if
it may reasonably be determined to qualify for approval or licensing
within 10 years after the Department's determination that procurement
of the countermeasure is appropriate.
Section VI lists medical countermeasures against Andes virus and
HPS that are Covered Countermeasures under this declaration.
Section VI also refers to the statutory definitions of Covered
Countermeasures to make clear that these statutory definitions limit
the scope of Covered Countermeasures. Specifically, the Declaration
notes that Covered Countermeasures must be ``qualified pandemic or
epidemic products,'' or ``security countermeasures,'' or drugs,
biological products, or devices authorized for investigational or
emergency use, as those terms are defined in the PREP Act, the FD&C
Act, and the Public Health Service Act.
Section VII, Limitations on Distribution
The Secretary may specify that liability immunity is in effect only
to Covered Countermeasures obtained through a particular means of
distribution. The Declaration states that liability immunity is
afforded to Covered Persons for Recommended Activities related to
Covered Countermeasures obtained for voluntary administration to
individuals in accordance with an IND Application.
Section VIII, Category of Disease, Health Condition, or Threat
The Secretary must identify, for each Covered Countermeasure, the
categories of diseases, health conditions, or threats to health for
which the Secretary recommends the administration or use of the
countermeasure. In Section VIII, the Secretary states that the disease
threat for which he recommends administration or use of the Covered
Countermeasures is HPS caused by Andes virus.
Section IX, Administration of Covered Countermeasures
The PREP Act does not explicitly define the term ``administration''
but does assign the Secretary the responsibility to provide relevant
conditions in the Declaration. In Section IX, the Secretary defines
``Administration of a Covered Countermeasure:''
Administration of a Covered Countermeasure means physical provision
of the countermeasures to recipients, or activities and decisions
directly relating to public and private delivery, distribution, and
dispensing of the countermeasures to recipients; management and
operation of countermeasure programs; or management and operation of
locations for purpose of distributing and dispensing countermeasures.
The definition of ``administration'' extends only to physical
provision of a countermeasure to a recipient, such as vaccination or
handing drugs to patients, and to activities related to management and
operation of programs and locations for providing countermeasures to
recipients, such as decisions and actions involving security and
queuing, but only insofar as those activities directly relate to the
countermeasure activities. Claims for which Covered Persons are
provided immunity under the Act are losses caused by, arising out of,
relating to, or resulting from the administration to or use by an
individual of a Covered Countermeasure consistent with the terms of a
Declaration issued under the Act. Under the definition, these liability
claims are precluded if they allege an injury caused by physical
provision of a countermeasure to a recipient, or if the claims are
directly due to conditions of delivery, distribution, dispensing, or
management and operation of countermeasure programs at distribution and
dispensing sites.
Thus, it is the Secretary's interpretation that, when a Declaration
is in effect, the Act precludes, for example, liability claims alleging
negligence by a manufacturer in creating a vaccine, or negligence by a
health care provider in prescribing the wrong dose, absent willful
misconduct.
Section X, Population
The Secretary must identify, for each Covered Countermeasure
specified in a Declaration, the population or populations of
individuals for which liability immunity is in effect with respect to
administration or use of the countermeasure. This section explains
which individuals should use the countermeasure or to whom the
countermeasure should be administered--in short, those who should take
a drug or other countermeasure. Section X provides that the population
includes ``any individual who uses or who is administered a Covered
Countermeasure in accordance with the Declaration.''
In addition, the PREP Act specifies that liability immunity is
afforded: (1) To manufacturers and distributors without regard to
whether the countermeasure is used by or administered to this
population; and (2) to program planners and qualified persons when the
countermeasure is either used by or administered to this population or
the program planner or qualified person reasonably could have believed
the recipient was in this population. Section X includes these
statutory conditions in the Declaration for clarity.
Section XI, Geographic Area
The Secretary must identify, for each Covered Countermeasure
specified in the Declaration, the geographic area or areas for which
liability immunity is in effect with respect to administration or use
of the countermeasure, including, as appropriate, whether the
Declaration applies only to individuals physically present in the area
or, in addition, applies to individuals who have a described connection
to the area. Section XI provides that liability immunity is afforded
for the administration or use of a Covered Countermeasure without
geographic limitation. This could include claims related to
administration or use in countries outside the U.S. It is possible that
claims may arise in regard to administration or use of the Covered
Countermeasures outside the U.S. that may be resolved under U.S. law.
In addition, the PREP Act specifies that liability immunity is
afforded: (1) To manufacturers and distributors without regard to
whether the countermeasure is used by or administered in the geographic
areas; and (2) to program planners and qualified persons when the
countermeasure is either used or administered in the geographic areas
or the program planner or qualified person reasonably could have
believed the countermeasure was used or administered in the areas.
Section XI includes these statutory conditions in the Declaration for
clarity.
Section XII, Effective Time Period
The Secretary must identify, for each Covered Countermeasure, the
period or periods during which liability immunity is in effect,
designated by dates, milestones, or other description of events,
including factors specified in the PREP Act. Section XII extends the
effective period through July 18, 2026.
Section XIII, Additional Time Period of Coverage
The Secretary must specify a date after the ending date of the
effective time period of the Declaration that is reasonable for
manufacturers to arrange for disposition of the Covered Countermeasure,
including return of the product to the manufacturer, and for other
Covered Persons to take appropriate actions to limit
[[Page 31470]]
administration or use of the Covered Countermeasure. In addition, the
PREP Act specifies that for Covered Countermeasures that are subject to
a Declaration at the time they are obtained for the Strategic National
Stockpile (SNS) under 42 U.S.C. 247d-6b(a), the effective period of the
Declaration extends through the time the countermeasure is used or
administered pursuant to a distribution or release from the stockpile.
Liability immunity under the provisions of the PREP Act and the
conditions of the Declaration continues during these additional time
periods. Thus, liability immunity is afforded during the ``Effective
Time Period,'' described under XII of the Declaration, plus the
``Additional Time Period'' described under Section XIII of the
Declaration.
Section XIII provides for one month as the additional time period
of coverage after expiration of the Declaration. Section XIII also
explains the extended coverage that applies to any products obtained
for the SNS during the effective period of the Declaration.
Section XIV, Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program
Section 319F-4 of the PHS Act, 42 U.S.C. 247d-6e, authorizes the
Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) to provide benefits
to eligible individuals who sustain a serious physical injury or die as
a direct result of the administration or use of a Covered
Countermeasure. Compensation under the CICP for an injury directly
caused by a Covered Countermeasure is based on the requirements set
forth in this Declaration, the administrative rules for the Program,
and the statute. To show direct causation between a Covered
Countermeasure and a serious physical injury, the statute requires
``compelling, reliable, valid, medical and scientific evidence.'' The
administrative rules for the Program further explain the necessary
requirements for eligibility under the CICP.
Further, the administrative rules for the CICP specify that if
countermeasures are administered or used outside the United States,
only otherwise eligible individuals at United States embassies,
military installations abroad (such as military bases, ships, and
camps) or at North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) installations
(subject to the NATO Status of Forces Agreement) where American
servicemen and servicewomen are stationed may be considered for CICP
benefits. Other individuals outside the United States may not be
eligible for CICP benefits.
Section XV, Amendments
The Secretary may amend any portion of this Declaration through
publication in the Federal Register.
Declaration by the Secretary of Health and Human Services
I. Determination of Public Health Emergency or Credible Risk of Future
Public Health Emergency
42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(1)
I have determined that the spread of Andes virus and the resulting
disease, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), constitutes a credible
risk of a future public health emergency.
II. Factors Considered
42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(6)
I have considered the desirability of encouraging the design,
development, clinical testing, or investigation, manufacture, labeling,
distribution, formulation, packaging, marketing, promotion, sale,
purchase, donation, dispensing, prescribing, administration, licensing,
and use of the Covered Countermeasures.
III. Recommended Activities
42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(1)
I recommend, under the conditions stated in this Declaration, the
manufacture, testing, development, distribution, and voluntary
administration and use of the Covered Countermeasures in individuals
possibly exposed to Andes virus on the M/V Hondius and in individuals
who have had close contact with individuals possibly exposed to Andes
virus on the M/V Hondius.
IV. Liability Protections
42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(a), 247d-6d(b)(1)
Liability protections as prescribed in the PREP Act and conditions
stated in this Declaration are in effect for the Recommended Activities
described in Section III.
V. Covered Persons
42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(i)(2), (3), (4), (6), (8)(A) and (B)
Covered Persons who are afforded liability immunity under this
Declaration are ``manufacturers,'' ``distributors,'' ``program
planners,'' ``qualified persons,'' and their officials, agents, and
employees, as those terms are defined in the PREP Act, and the United
States.
``Qualified person'' includes (A) a licensed health professional or
other individual who is authorized to prescribe, administer, or
dispense such countermeasures under the law of the State in which the
countermeasure was prescribed, administered, or dispensed; or (B) ``a
person within a category of persons so identified in a Declaration by
the Secretary'' under subsection (b) of the PREP Act. 42 U.S.C. 247d-
6d(i)(8)
VI. Covered Countermeasures
42 U.S.C. 247d-6b(c)(1)(B), 247d-6d(i)(1) and (7)
Covered Countermeasures are favipiravir.
Covered Countermeasures must be ``qualified pandemic or epidemic
products,'' or ``security countermeasures,'' or drugs, biological
products, or devices authorized for investigational or emergency use,
as those terms are defined in the PREP Act, the FD&C Act, and the PHS
Act.
VII. Limitations on Distribution
42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(a)(5), 247d-6d(b)(2)(E)
I have determined that liability protections are afforded to
Covered Persons only for Recommended Activities involving: Covered
Countermeasures that are obtained for voluntary administration to
individuals in accordance with an approved IND application.
I have also determined that, for governmental program planners
only, liability protections are afforded only to the extent such
program planners obtain Covered Countermeasures through voluntary
means, such as (a) donation; (b) commercial sale; (c) deployment of
Covered Countermeasures from federal stockpiles; or (d) deployment of
donated, purchased, or otherwise voluntarily obtained Covered
Countermeasures from state, local, or private stockpiles and perform
emergency response functions in accordance with the PREP Act and this
Declaration.
VIII. Category of Disease, Health Condition, or Threat
42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(2)(A)
The category of disease, health condition, or threat for which I
recommend the administration or use of the Covered Countermeasures is
HPS caused by the Andes virus.
IX. Administration of Covered Countermeasures
42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(a)(2)(B)
Administration of the Covered Countermeasure means physical
provision of the countermeasures to recipients, or activities and
decisions directly relating to public and private
[[Page 31471]]
delivery, distribution and dispensing of the countermeasures to
recipients, management and operation of countermeasure programs, or
management and operation of locations for the purpose of distributing
and dispensing countermeasures.
X. Population
42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(a)(4), 247d-6d(b)(2)(C)
The populations of individuals to whom the liability protections of
this Declaration extend include any individual (regardless of age) who
uses or is administered the Covered Countermeasures in accordance with
this Declaration.
Liability protections are afforded to manufacturers and
distributors without regard to whether the countermeasure is used by or
administered to this population; liability protections are afforded to
program planners and qualified persons when the countermeasure is used
by or administered to this population, or the program planner or
qualified person reasonably could have believed the recipient was in
this population.
XI. Geographic Area
42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(a)(4), 247d-6d(b)(2)(D)
Liability protections are afforded for the administration or use of
a Covered Countermeasure without geographic limitation.
Liability protections are afforded to manufacturers and
distributors without regard to whether the Covered Countermeasure is
used by or administered in any designated geographic area; liability
protections are afforded to program planners and qualified persons when
the countermeasure is used by or administered in any designated
geographic area, or the program planner or qualified person reasonably
could have believed the recipient was in that geographic area.
XII. Effective Period
42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(2)(B)
Liability immunity for Covered Countermeasures extends through July
18, 2026.
XIII. Additional Period of Coverage
42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(3)(B), 247d-6d(b)(3)(C)
I have determined that an additional one month of liability
protection is reasonable to allow for the manufacturer(s) to arrange
for disposition of the Covered Countermeasure, including return of the
Covered Countermeasures to the manufacturer, and for Covered Persons to
take such other actions as are appropriate to limit the administration
or use of the Covered Countermeasures.
Covered Countermeasures obtained for the SNS during the effective
period of this Declaration are covered through the date of
administration or use pursuant to a distribution or release from the
SNS.
XIV. Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program
42 U.S.C. 247d-6e
The PREP Act authorizes the Countermeasures Injury Compensation
Program (CICP) to provide benefits to certain individuals or estates of
individuals who sustain a covered serious physical injury as a direct
result of the administration or use of the Covered Countermeasures, and
benefits to certain survivors of individuals who die as a direct result
of the administration or use of the Covered Countermeasures. The causal
connection between the countermeasure and the serious physical injury
must be supported by compelling, reliable, valid, medical, and
scientific evidence in order for the individual to be considered for
compensation. The CICP is administered by the Health Resources and
Services Administration, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services. Information about the CICP is available at the toll-free
number 1-855-266-2427 or <a href="http://www.hrsa.gov/cicp/">http://www.hrsa.gov/cicp/</a>.
XV. Amendments
42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(b)(4)
Amendments to this Declaration will be published in the Federal
Register, as needed.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 247d-6d.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.,
Secretary of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 2026-10539 Filed 5-22-26; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4150-37-P
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