United States: The government buys $119 million worth of freeze-dried monkey pox vaccines.
The cases of the virus are upsurging. It has made its way to the United States of America, and the government has ordered millions of doses of vaccines that are going to protect people against the virus.
Moreover, the biotech company that makes the vaccine, Bavarian Nordic, has made an announcement that a $119 million order has been placed by the United States, with the option to buy $180 million additional if they required. Should that 2nd option be exercised, it would work out to about 13 million doses.
The order will convert the existing smallpox vaccines, which are also effective against monkeypox, into freeze-dried versions with a longer shelf life.
Along with this, the converted vaccines will be manufactured in 2023 as well as 2024, says the company.
Bavarian Nordic has worked with the United States of America government since 2003 to develop, manufacture, and supply smallpox vaccines. Till now, it has supplied about 30 million doses to the department of Health and Human Services.
The United States is not the only nation that is stocking up on the vaccine. On Thursday, Bavarian Nordic mentioned in the statement an unidentified European country had secured a contract to obtain the vaccine.
In addition, the president and CEO of Bavarian Nordic, Paul Chaplin, “While the full circumstances about the current monkey pox cases in Europe remain to be elucidated, the speed of which these have evolved, combined with the potential for infections beyond the initial case going undetected, calls for a rapid as well as coordinated approach by the health authorities, and we are pleased to assist in this emergency situation.”
Monkey pox was first discovered in 1958 as well as the first human case was recorded in 1970. The symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, exhaustion and a rash that spreads across the body. It is fatal in up to 10 percent of infections.
Meanwhile, the recent outbreak was first noticed in Europe on May 7 in an individual who had traveled to Nigeria, where monkey pox is endemic. Since then, 20 cases have spread through England, Portugal and Spain. Other potential causes are being monitored now.
Furthermore, the first case in the United States of America was announced Wednesday, and six other individuals are not being monitored. CDC epidemiologist Andrea McCollum shared Fortune late Wednesday that no potential additional US cases are likely.
