On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it would donate more than a million doses of the mpox vaccine, boosting both domestic and international supply.
The JYNNEOS mpox vaccine received regulatory approval from the World Health Organization last week. Officials said the U.S. government’s commitment to make the vaccine available is the largest international donation of the JYNNEOS mpox vaccine to date.
“A public health threat to one is a public health threat to all. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said. “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.”
Additionally, HHS committed to providing at least $500 million to support the mpox response in alignment with the WHO and the Africa CDC Joint Response Plan. HHS’s Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) said it will also loan JYNNEOS manufacturer Bavarian Nordic 200,000 doses of ASPR-produced vaccine to ensure continued supply within the U.S. market. Officials said the action will allow uninterrupted access to Americans without hindering the manufacturer’s ability to fulfill international orders.
Officials said the actions build on previous HHS responses to the mpox outbreak.
“Mpox response and coordination with key international and domestic partners remains a top priority for ASPR,” Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell said. “The collaborative actions announced today support additional access to vaccines for communities here in the United States while aiding our partners across the globe.”