Who makes the monkeypox vaccine? This question has gained significant attention as the world grapples with the recent outbreak of monkeypox. Monkeypox, a viral disease similar to smallpox, has been primarily confined to Central and West Africa until its rapid spread across the globe in 2022. The development and production of an effective vaccine are crucial in controlling the spread of this disease. In this article, we will explore the key players involved in manufacturing the monkeypox vaccine and their contributions to the global effort to combat this outbreak.
The monkeypox vaccine market is dominated by a few major pharmaceutical companies that have been actively involved in the research, development, and production of the vaccine. One of the leading companies is Bavarian Nordic, a Danish biotechnology company that has been at the forefront of monkeypox vaccine development for over two decades.
Bavarian Nordic’s monkeypox vaccine, called Jynneos, is a non-replicating, live-attenuated vaccine that has been approved for use in the United States. The company has played a crucial role in the global response to the monkeypox outbreak by increasing the production capacity of Jynneos to meet the growing demand. Additionally, Bavarian Nordic has been working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure a steady supply of the vaccine for the U.S. population.
Another significant player in the monkeypox vaccine market is GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a British multinational pharmaceutical company. GSK has developed a vaccine called Imvanex, which is also a non-replicating, live-attenuated vaccine. Imvanex has been approved for use in Europe and has been used to protect against both monkeypox and smallpox. GSK has been collaborating with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) to provide support and resources for the monkeypox response in Europe.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also been instrumental in the global effort to combat the monkeypox outbreak. The WHO has been working closely with member states, international organizations, and pharmaceutical companies to ensure the equitable distribution of vaccines and to support the implementation of public health measures to control the spread of the disease.
In addition to these major players, several other companies and research institutions are involved in the development and production of monkeypox vaccines. These include Sanofi Pasteur, which has developed a recombinant vaccine candidate, and Merck, which is working on a modified-live virus vaccine.
The collaborative efforts of these companies and organizations have been crucial in the development and production of monkeypox vaccines. As the world continues to face the challenge of the monkeypox outbreak, the importance of these vaccines cannot be overstated. By working together, these entities are helping to protect the global population from the potential dangers of this disease.
