On Tuesday afternoon, Congressman Adam Schiff called on the Biden Administration to bolster its response to the spread of the monkeypox virus in the United States amid reports that the U.S. does not currently have enough vaccines and health care providers do not have enough information and awareness to address rising cases.

“The federal government is falling short of the response that is needed. The United States must apply the costly, devastating lessons learned throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the AIDS epidemic to ensure a comprehensive, evidence-based federal response to the monkeypox virus,” Schiff said in a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.

To date, 1,184 monkeypox cases have been reported nationwide – up from 45 cases one month ago – and public health experts estimate limited access to testing means the true number of cases may be much higher. While the United States has acquired approximately 7 million doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine, only a fraction of those doses have been distributed to states and localities in need. In Los Angeles County, public health officials warned Saturday that vaccine supply is so limited that, doses are currently only available to those with the highest risk of infection and the shortage is expected to persist for months.

Schiff also expressed concerns that the current response to monkeypox – which disproportionately impacts members of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly bisexual and gay men – echoes the nation’s reactionary and lagging response to previous viral infections that hit marginalized communities hardest.

“Sky-rocketing cases and limited vaccination supply worldwide suggests that the monkeypox virus will continue to spread for years to come, if not indefinitely. The HIV crisis and COVID-19 pandemic have demonstrated it is critical that public health officials be forward-thinking in combatting the spread of viral infections – particularly in instances when marginalized communities, such as the LGBTQ+ community, are hardest-hit,” Schiff continued.

Specifically, Schiff called on HHS to:

• Increase the manufacturing and distribution of vaccines, including drawing upon lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and using the full power of the executive branch to increase manufacturing and distribution of the JYNNEOS vaccine across the country as quickly as possible.
• Supporting provider education and community outreach about the signs and symptoms of monkeypox and how to access testing, vaccinations, and treatments for patients who need it to not only limit the spread, but also the stigmatization of the virus.
• Developing and implementing a long-term strategy that will ensure access to monkeypox testing, vaccination, treatment, and provider education for years to come.

         The entire letter is available to read online at https://schiff.house.gov/imo/media/doc/letter_to_hhs_-_monkeypox.pdf.