HHS Announces Mpox Vaccine Donations, Boosting Domestic and International Supply
September 24, 2024
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced plans to donate over a million doses of JYNNEOS mpox vaccine globally, the largest international donation to date. This includes 1,000,000 doses for the international response and a 200,000-dose loan to manufacturer Bavarian Nordic. The U.S. has committed $500 million to support the WHO and Africa CDC Joint Response Plan. Previous actions include donations to the DRC and Nigeria, making vaccines available to health centers serving at-risk populations, and investing $1.94 billion in JYNNEOS development. HHS is also supporting case surveillance, risk communication, and laboratory capacities.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), has announced major actions to bolster the global mpox response. These efforts underscore the U.S. government's commitment to addressing this public health threat on a global scale.
Key actions include:
1. Vaccine Donations: The U.S. is donating 1,000,000 doses of JYNNEOS mpox vaccine to the international response, marking the largest such donation to date.
2. Financial Support: A commitment of at least $500 million to support the WHO and Africa CDC Joint Response Plan.
3. Domestic Supply Assurance: ASPR is loaning 200,000 doses to manufacturer Bavarian Nordic to ensure uninterrupted domestic access without impacting international commitments.
4. Previous Donations: 50,000 doses were delivered to the Democratic Republic of Congo on September 10, and 10,000 doses to Nigeria in August 2024.
5. Domestic Access Expansion: Collaboration with HRSA to make JYNNEOS available to health centers and clinics serving at-risk, uninsured, and underinsured individuals.
6. Vaccine Development Investment: ASPR has invested $1.94 billion in funds and technical expertise to develop and sustain JYNNEOS.
7. Comprehensive Support: HHS actions include case surveillance, risk communication, community engagement, laboratory support, infection prevention and control, epidemiology capacity building, and vaccine planning.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the global nature of public health threats and the importance of international cooperation. The recent WHO regulatory approval of JYNNEOS further validates these efforts.
These actions build on the U.S. government's ongoing commitment to global health security. By leveraging its resources and expertise, the U.S. aims to play a pivotal role in controlling the mpox outbreak worldwide while ensuring domestic preparedness. This multifaceted approach demonstrates the interconnected nature of global health challenges and the need for coordinated international responses.