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“The order amounts to a $119 million order for Jynneos vaccines, which are used for the prevention of both smallpox and monkeypox. It was announced by biotechnology company Bavarian Nordic, which makes the vaccine, on Wednesday.
The order will convert bulk vaccines, which have already been made and invoiced under previous contracts with the U.S. government, into freeze-dried versions which have an improved shelf-life.”
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“Estimates of the case-fatality rate for monkeypox in Africa vary from 1% to 15%, with the highest risk of death in young children. In one study of 300 patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the overall mortality rate was 10% and the mortality rate in unvaccinated children was 15-20%. Respiratory complications occurred in 12% of patients in this study.
During an outbreak of monkeypox in the U.S. in 2003, most cases appeared to be the result of contact with sick prairie dogs. Two of 79 patients became severely ill, one with encephalitis. No deaths occurred to July 1, 2003.”