Canada's DND requests proposal for MVA pox vaccs

The Department of National Defence in Canada has requested a purchase proposal for the acquisition of modified vaccinia virus Ankara-based smallpox vaccine for 10,000 people and an option for another 10,000 units. A prerequisite for the order is that the supplier must register the vaccine for the Canadian market.

This request for proposal is important as it illustrates that MVA-based smallpox vaccines are gradually being accepted as the preferred choice for protecting first-line responders and for replacing and expanding national stockpiles for the general population in the event of a smallpox outbreak, noted MVA small pox vaccine firm Bavarian Nordic.

The data required for registering the vaccine in Canada are in line with those from the expected RFP-3 order from the US government for 20 million doses of MVA-based smallpox vaccine, which is expected before end of second quarter 2007.