Bavarian Nordic Details HERA Vaccine Procurement
Copenhagen, Denmark – Bavarian Nordic A/S, a global vaccine company, has provided further clarification regarding its framework agreement with the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA). The company confirmed an initial order for 750,000 doses of its MVA-BN smallpox/mpox vaccine, with delivery scheduled for 2026.
This order stems from a new joint procurement contract facilitated by the European Commission through HERA. The agreement is designed to bolster Europe's readiness against potential smallpox and mpox outbreaks, ensuring continuous access to critical medical countermeasures.
The HERA Framework and Broader Scope
The Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), a Directorate-General of the European Commission, was established to enhance the EU's capacity to prevent, detect, and rapidly respond to health emergencies, a direct lesson learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. The new framework contract with HERA is a significant expansion, replacing a previous agreement from 2022. It allows for the purchase of up to 8 million doses of Bavarian Nordic's MVA-BN vaccine over the next four years.
The expanded agreement now includes participation from 20 EU member states and other European countries, ensuring broader access to the vaccine across the continent.
MVA-BN Vaccine and Preparedness Efforts
Bavarian Nordic's MVA-BN vaccine is a non-replicating smallpox and mpox vaccine, known commercially as JYNNEOS in the U.S. and Imvanex in Europe. This 750,000-dose order for 2026 marks the second significant procurement for that year, following an earlier contract option awarded by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The company views these initial BARDA and HERA orders as a crucial foundation for building its public preparedness business, projecting a value of DKK 1.5-2 billion for 2026. Bavarian Nordic anticipates additional orders for its MVA-BN vaccine throughout the coming year, reinforcing its role as a preferred supplier of mpox and smallpox vaccines to governments worldwide.
Commitment to Global Health Security
Bavarian Nordic, headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, emphasizes its mission to improve health and save lives through innovative vaccines. The company's strategic focus on public health preparedness positions it at the forefront of addressing emerging and re-emerging viral threats. The clarification of the HERA agreement underscores the ongoing international efforts to ensure robust defenses against infectious diseases.
5 Comments
Stan Marsh
It's good that the EU is coordinating vaccine access, but the sheer volume suggests a high cost which should be balanced against other pressing health needs.
Eric Cartman
Learning from the COVID-19 pandemic is wise for future outbreaks, but we must also critically evaluate the actual risk level for mpox and smallpox to justify such large orders.
Kyle Broflovski
Essential for public health safety. A smart move by the EU.
Africa
While public health preparedness is crucial, we need assurances these doses won't expire before use, representing a significant financial commitment for member states.
Bermudez
Great to see Europe taking preparedness seriously. Good job, HERA.