EU to buy over 110,000 monkeypox vaccines as outbreak grows
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HERA, the European Commission's Health Preparedness and Response Authority, concluded a contract with Bavarian Nordic to buy 109 090 doses of their 3rd generation vaccines in response to the current monkeypox outbreak.
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The monkeypox vaccine (Dado Ruvic, Reuters)
Amid the fast spread of the monkeypox virus, the European Commission signed a contract on Tuesday with Bavarian Nordic, a Danish-based biotechnology company, on procuring 109,090 doses of the virus's vaccines.
In a statement, the Commission said, "Today, HERA, the European Commission's Health Preparedness, and Response Authority, concluded a contract with the company Bavarian Nordic to purchase 109 090 doses of their 3rd generation vaccines in response to the current monkeypox outbreaks," adding that the vaccines will be available to all member countries and HERA will give the priority to those most in need.
Countries that have already given permission to use the monkeypox vaccines will start receiving doses by the end of this month.
The statement added that the 3rd generation vaccine is being used for adults to be protected against smallpox, but it proved effective against the monkeypox too since the two viruses are relatively similar.
The deal was the first to be directly funded by the European Union within the EU4Health program.
Stella Kyriakides, the Commissioner for Health and Food Safety said, “For the first time, we buy these vaccines with the EU4Health program and we donate them to our Member States. The outbreak of monkeypox has shown the importance of a united EU approach to preparedness and response to emerging health threats. With the agreement signed today, we ensure that the Member States will have access to much-needed vaccines to protect people exposed to monkeypox. This is a tangible demonstration of our reinforced capacity to respond rapidly to health crises, but also the rapid and collective response that a European Health Union can deliver.”
Monkeypox is a rare viral disease transmitted to humans from animals, with 1% to 10% lethality. Among people, the disease is not spread easily, but it may have complications. It predominantly occurs in Central and West Africa and causes swelling of the lymph nodes and a widespread rash on the body. It can be transmitted through respiratory droplets, body fluids, and other contaminated materials. The disease usually results in fever, swollen lymph nodes, and rash.
See more: Monkeypox: Should you be worried?
