The European Commission announced on Tuesday a purchase of 110,000 doses of a monkeypox vaccine using the EU budget. The goal is to distribute the vaccines among the member states of the European Union, with the initial batches expected to reach distribution by the end of the month, as stated by Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides.
Since the outbreak began in mid-May, the virus has infected hundreds, with at least 900 confirmed cases reported across 19 member states, including Spain. This rapid spread has prompted coordinated action at the EU level to bolster preparedness and vaccination capacity.
The acquisition agreement was finalized with Bavarian Nordic, a company specializing in smallpox and related vaccines, and will be funded through the European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HaDEA) with EU budget support. The Community Management will allocate the vaccines to member states based on population size, prioritizing countries most affected by the epidemic. This marks a notable shift, as community funds are used for vaccine procurement for the first time under the ongoing health strategy.
Vice-President Margaritis Schinas, responsible for public health and well-being, highlighted this as a milestone in building a genuine and robust Health Alliance within the EU. The move demonstrates a commitment to ensuring rapid and equitable access to vaccines for all member states in response to evolving health threats.
In a recent guidance update, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) described the recommended approach for vaccination: vaccination is advised as post-exposure prophylaxis for close contacts at higher risk, while individual risk-benefit assessments should guide decisions for each person. This guidance emphasizes a tailored approach, complemented by ongoing risk assessment and monitoring of transmission trends. [ECDC]