Trump Administration Inaction Risks Wasting Mpox Vaccines
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, 46 lawmakers sent a letter to Secretary Rubio urging him to distribute all remaining viable mpox vaccines that the United States promised to African countries currently experiencing outbreaks.
Public Citizen Access to Medicines researcher Megan Whiteman issued the following statement in response:
“Hundreds of thousands of mpox vaccine doses pledged to Africa are poised to expire because of the administration’s incompetence and venality.
“The U.S. has pledged to make 1 million doses available – and it still could meet that pledge if it coordinates with international, regional, and local partners to transfer available doses. In mid-2023, the U.S. held nearly 7 million MVA-BN mpox vaccine doses in its stockpile.
“Trump’s cuts and Bavarian Nordic’s high vaccine price have significantly contributed to supply shortages. Last month, Public Citizen highlighted that the U.S. had nearly six times more doses available to respond to the 2022–3 mpox outbreak than Africa has now.
“Developing countries shouldn’t have to struggle to access vaccines during an emergency because rich countries sit on supplies and manufacturers price doses out of reach.
“The administration should fulfill its pledge and work with partners including WHO, Gavi and the Africa CDC to ensure doses can be used effectively across the countries fighting mpox.”