U.S. to boost monkeypox vaccine supply, adding 1.8 million doses (updated)

SIGA Technologies

18/08/2022 16:09

(Adds case numbers and quote)
    By Ahmed Aboulenein and Kanishka Singh
    WASHINGTON, Aug 18 (Reuters) - The United States will boost
its supply of monkeypox vaccine by making an additional 1.8
million doses of Bavarian Nordic's  BAVA.CO  Jynneos vaccine
available for ordering starting Aug. 22, the White House said on
Thursday.
    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will
make 360,000 vials of the vaccine available, Assistant Secretary
for Preparedness and Response Dawn O'Connell said in a White
House briefing. This is the equivalent of 1.8 million doses as
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week authorized
administering the shot intradermally or between the layers of
the skin, increasing by fivefold the doses that can be used from
a vial.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N2ZL3QQ
    The number of cases in the United States has been growing,
with over 13,500 reported as of Aug. 17, U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention Director (CDC) Rochelle Walensky
said at the briefing. This represents more than a third of the
global total of 39,000 cases.
    The health department is setting aside 50,000 doses of
vaccine from the Strategic National Stockpile that health
departments in places hosting large events that attract at-risk
groups can request to order on top of their existing allocations
and supply, said Bob Fenton, White House monkeypox response
coordinator.
    The department is also making 50,000 courses of SIGA
Technologies Inc's  SIGA.O  TPOXX antiviral treatment available
for people who test positive, which state and local health
departments can start ordering starting next week, Fenton said.

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GRAPHIC - Tracking global monkeypox cases    https://graphics.reuters.com/HEALTH-MONKEYPOX/xmpjomlqqvr/
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 (Reporting by Ahmed Aboulenein and Kanishka Singh; Editing by
Mark Porter and Frances Kerry)
 ((ahmed.aboulenein@tr.com; +1 202-519-3051;))