On June 28, 2022, delivery of the first vaccine doses purchased by the European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) in response to the current monkeypox outbreak began. Out of a total of 109,090 doses purchased, 5,300 doses are now arriving in Spain. This is the first of a series of deliveries that will take place regularly over the coming weeks and months to ensure all member states are ready to respond to the current monkeypox outbreak, with priority being given to the worst affected member states.
Monkeypox is a smallpox virus and it is mainly found in countries in West Africa and Central Africa. In May 2022, the disease was diagnosed in people in Europe who had no direct link with areas in Africa. That means the disease is spreading in Europe. Monkeypox, often referred to as monkeypox or monkeypox virus, is a viral infection that mainly occurs in western and central Africa. Sometimes a traveler from that region comes to Europe with this disease. This zoonosis (disease that can be passed from animals to humans) mainly occurs in rodents in Africa. The disease is usually mild in humans. Monkeypox has been diagnosed in 257 people in the Netherlands (last update June 27, 2022). Thursday 29 June there will be an explanation with more information – follow the RIVM.
(Photo Abdesslam Mirdass/EU – 2022)
Stella Kyriakides (1956) EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety in Strasbourg on 3 May 2022
Stella Kyriakides Commissioner for Health and Food Safety said: “As of today, the first deliveries of vaccines in response to the monkeypox outbreak are arriving in the worst affected countries. This is a European health union that responds in real time to new health threats and protects its citizens. This is the first time through our Health Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) we are buying vaccines directly and donating them to Member States. Now that HERA is operational, the EU has significantly strengthened its capacity to respond decisively to emerging health threats.‘
As with the COVID-19 vaccines, vaccine doses are allocated in proportion to each country’s population. Member States with a higher number of monkeypox cases (at contract date) will be given priority in deliveries, as agreed with Member States. The vaccines are supplied directly to the Member States by the pharmaceutical company. Shortly after today’s deliveries to Spain, Portugal, Germany and Belgium will be the next countries to receive doses. Further deliveries to other Member States will take place during July and August.
Since the onset of the monkeypox outbreak, the European Health Threat Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), along with other Commission and Member State services, has been closely monitoring the evolution of the outbreak in Europe and developing preparedness and response efforts of all Member States. The purchase and donation of 109,090 vaccines, produced by Bavarian Nordic, is just one example of the support given to Member States. It is also the first time that the EU budget has been used through the EU4Health program to directly purchase vaccines for donation to Member States.