The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), has announced measures to boost the supply of mpox vaccines. This move aligns with the U.S. Government's commitment to making over a million combined doses available globally. The initiative marks the largest international donation of JYNNEOS, a vaccine recently approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).
“A public health threat to one is a public health threat to all. HHS is committed to fighting the current mpox outbreak, including through this vaccine donation. Disease doesn’t respect borders and it is our duty to work together to make our world healthier. Our partnerships across the globe in fighting infectious disease will help keep us safe,” said Secretary Xavier Becerra.
The new actions taken by HHS include:
- Donating 1,000,000 doses to support the international mpox response.
- Committing at least $500 million in alignment with WHO and Africa CDC Joint Response Plan.
- Loaning JYNNEOS manufacturer Bavarian Nordic 200,000 doses of ASPR-procured vaccine to maintain domestic supply without affecting international orders.
These steps build on previous efforts by HHS:
- Collaborating with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to distribute expiring JYNNEOS doses from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) to HRSA-funded health centers and Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program clinics for uninsured and underinsured individuals.
- Delivering 50,000 doses of mpox vaccine to the Democratic Republic of Congo on September 10.
- Sending another 10,000 doses to Nigeria in August 2024 for clade I mpox response.
ASPR has invested $1.94 billion in funds and technical expertise in developing JYNNEOS, emphasizing its critical role in these initiatives.
“Mpox response and coordination with key international and domestic partners remains a top priority for ASPR,” said Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell. “The collaborative actions announced today support additional access to vaccines for communities here in the United States while aiding our partners across the globe.”
HHS continues its collaboration with other U.S. Government agencies, WHO, regional Ministries of Health, and international partners addressing outbreaks in Central and Eastern Africa. Currently, there are no known cases of clade I mpox in the United States, but clade II infections persist nationwide. HHS focuses on rapidly deploying vaccines and therapeutics where needed while ensuring fair distribution domestically and internationally.
Further information on the U.S. response can be found on the HHS mpox response website.
