GeoVax Labs, Inc. has issued a call for the United States to enhance its pandemic preparedness and biodefense capabilities, citing multiple ongoing public health threats. The company highlights the global spread of Mpox, the emergence of immune-evasive COVID-19 variants, and a concerning reliance on foreign vaccine supplies as key reasons to modernize the nation's countermeasure infrastructure. This situation is underscored by the World Health Organization maintaining Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with new data revealing vertical transmission during pregnancy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The company's vaccine platform, based on Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA), includes candidates for Mpox/smallpox and a next-generation COVID-19 vaccine, both designed to offer broad and durable protection. These developments are particularly relevant as the NB.1.8.1 COVID-19 variant's rise has prompted updated CDC guidance, yet vaccine uptake among vulnerable populations remains low. GeoVax's Chairman and CEO, David Dodd, criticized the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile's dependence on a single foreign supplier for Mpox/smallpox vaccines, a situation exacerbated by ongoing outbreaks.
GeoVax advocates for increased competition in vaccine production and a strategic shift towards domestic manufacturing to ensure national security and public health resilience. The company argues that relying on foreign suppliers creates vulnerabilities during health crises, as demonstrated by current challenges. Bipartisan support is growing for legislation aimed at reducing foreign dependency in pandemic countermeasures, with policymakers emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships and platform diversification.
The company aligns with these legislative priorities, urging swift government action to fund and procure U.S.-based vaccine production before the next health crisis emerges. This approach would address what GeoVax identifies as critical gaps in the current biodefense strategy. For more information on GeoVax's initiatives and clinical trials, visit https://www.geovax.com. The company's position reflects broader concerns about America's readiness for future pandemics and biological threats, emphasizing that proactive investment in domestic capabilities is essential for protecting public health and national security.
