UK Orders 150,000 Bavarian Nordic Mpox Vaccine Doses to Boost Preparedness Against New Form

Sep 16, 2024, 05:08 PM

The UK government has ordered more than 150,000 doses of Bavarian Nordic's mpox vaccine to boost its preparedness against a new form of the virus currently spreading in African countries. This move comes as part of a broader strategy to control the spread of mpox, also known as monkeypox. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published a technical briefing focusing on potential scenarios, risk indicators, and the current vaccine strategy for mpox clade I. The government, with support from Ministers Wes Streeting and Gwynne MP, has agreed to implement the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommendations on mpox vaccination and secured over 150,000 additional doses. This initiative is seen as a significant win for the campaign led by the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), which has been advocating for increased mpox preparedness since July.