HHS announces major mpox vaccine donations to strengthen global response

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced significant efforts to increase the supply of mpox vaccines, both domestically and internationally, as part of the global response to the ongoing mpox outbreak.

In its largest international donation to date, HHS, through the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), is providing over a million combined doses of the JYNNEOS mpox vaccine. 

This vaccine, which recently received regulatory approval from the World Health Organisation (WHO), will bolster global preparedness and response efforts.

"A public health threat to one is a public health threat to all," remarked HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.

"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.”

As part of this initiative, the US is donating 1,000,000 doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine to support international mpox response efforts, further underscoring its commitment with at least $500 million in funding to back the WHO and Africa CDC Joint Response Plan.

In addition to these international efforts, ASPR is loaning 200,000 doses of its JYNNEOS vaccine to manufacturer Bavarian Nordic to ensure continued supply within the US commercial market. 

This measure ensures uninterrupted access to the vaccine for Americans while enabling the manufacturer to meet both domestic and international demands.

Building on prior efforts, HHS is also collaborating with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to distribute JYNNEOS doses to health centres and clinics funded under HRSA and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Programme. 

These vaccines, sourced from the Strategic National Stockpile, will be available to at-risk, uninsured, or underinsured individuals.

This latest announcement follows previous US donations of mpox vaccines, including 50,000 doses delivered to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) earlier in September and 10,000 doses sent to Nigeria in August 2024 to support the country’s clade I mpox response.

Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Dawn O’Connell, emphasized the importance of coordination in the ongoing efforts: “Mpox response and coordination with key international and domestic partners remains a top priority for ASPR. The collaborative actions announced today support additional access to vaccines for communities here in the United States while aiding our partners across the globe.”

The US Government’s investment of $1.94 billion has been pivotal in developing and sustaining the JYNNEOS vaccine, ensuring that such resources are available for critical moments like these.

HHS continues to closely collaborate with US agencies, WHO, regional Ministries of Health, and other international partners to tackle the mpox outbreak, particularly in Central and Eastern Africa.

While the risk of clade I mpox in the US remains low, clade II infections are still occurring. 

HHS remains focused on ensuring rapid deployment of vaccines to the most affected communities, with an emphasis on fair and equitable distribution both in the US and globally.