US government to provide $11 million for production of monkeypox vaccine

The US government said yesterday it would provide about $11 million to support the packaging of Bavarian Nordic’s Jynneos monkeypox vaccine at a US-based manufacturer’s facility.

The Danish company, which is the maker of the only approved monkeypox vaccine, had earlier this month signed up Michigan-based Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing to package the two-dose shot.

The production is expected to begin later this year, the US Department of Health and Human Services said, adding that the funding will help the manufacturer recruit more staff and buy additional equipment.

Globally, the number of confirmed monkeypox cases have crossed 47,600 with over 17,000 cases reported in the US so far.

The Jynneos vaccine is in short supply and the US regulators have authorised a method of administration that allows providers to get five doses instead of one from a single vial to expand access.

The US initially ordered three million doses, and, in July, sought another 2.5 million doses. Bavarian Nordic said the additional doses would be packaged at the US facility.

The delivery of the total 5.5 million doses is spread across this year and the next.

Edits by EP News Bureau