New Supply of US Monkeypox Vaccine Possible by Late October... Growing Concerns Over Shortage

[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] As monkeypox outbreaks spread in the United States, concerns are growing over a potential vaccine shortage. Warnings have been issued that additional vaccine supplies may realistically only be available by the end of October, and a vaccine shortage could occur before then.

The Washington Post (WP) reported on the 30th (local time) that although the U.S. federal government announced the procurement of hundreds of thousands of additional monkeypox vaccine doses, vaccine supply will be difficult until October, potentially resulting in a three-month vaccine gap.

WP cited multiple anonymous sources stating that the additional 500,000 vaccine doses ordered are unlikely to be delivered before the end of October from the manufacturer Bavarian Nordic, located in Denmark, due to global demand and other reasons. Bavarian Nordic only stated that "the 500,000 additional doses ordered by the U.S. are expected to be delivered within this year."

WP pointed out that with the currently secured supply, only about one-third of the 1.6 million people classified as the highest-risk group for monkeypox?namely, homosexual or bisexual individuals?can be vaccinated.

The U.S. government has secured a total of 1.1 million doses of the Jynneos vaccine so far. Jynneos is the only monkeypox vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Considering that two doses of Jynneos are required to develop immunity, mathematically, only about 550,000 people can be vaccinated.

Given that the number of monkeypox infections in the U.S. is nearly doubling every week, concerns are emerging that a vaccine shortage could spread across the country.

Stephan Morrison, a researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said on a podcast, "To cover all individuals in the high-risk group for monkeypox, including those who are HIV-positive, a total of 3.2 million vaccine doses are needed," adding, "We will not be able to secure 2 million doses by the end of the year."

Due to concerns over vaccine shortages, some have suggested using the smallpox vaccine ACAM2000, which has not been approved by the FDA for monkeypox. However, this is an older vaccine that may cause side effects such as muscle pain and rash, and its effectiveness has not been verified.

Peter Hotez, dean of Baylor College of Medicine, pointed out, "We should consider mixing one dose each of Jynneos and ACAM2000," warning, "Once monkeypox begins to spread widely, it could become entrenched like it has in Africa."

New York State, where monkeypox is spreading most rapidly in the U.S., declared a state of emergency the previous night.

Governor Kathy Hochul said, "I am declaring a state disaster emergency to strengthen our efforts to respond to the monkeypox outbreak," adding, "This will enable a faster response." According to health authorities, as of the previous day, a total of 1,383 confirmed monkeypox cases have been reported in New York State, with cases mainly concentrated in New York City.