U.S. Buys 13 Million Doses of Monkeypox Vaccine

The U.S. government has ordered millions of doses of a vaccine that protects against monkeypox. The news follows the first confirmed case in the states — a man in Massachusetts — following an outbreak in the U.K.

The order amounts to a $119 million order for Jynneos vaccines (https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/jynneos), which are used for the prevention of both smallpox and monkeypox. It was announced by biotechnology company Bavarian Nordic (https://www.bavarian-nordic.com/), which makes the vaccine, on Wednesday.

The order will convert bulk vaccines, which have already been made and invoiced under previous contracts with the U.S. government, into freeze-dried versions which have an improved shelf-life.

The total government contract with Bavarian Nordic amounts to $299 million, which would provide 13 million freeze-dried doses. It's expected that the first doses will be manufactured by next year with further doses made in 2024 and 2025."