Preparing Thousands of Doses Against Smallpox
Monday, May 5, 2025, finds the government's procurement portal hunting for a supplier offering a hefty batch of equine encephalitis vaccines, aiming to thwart the dreaded horsepox (colloquially known as the "shiver"). The documents reveal a plan to acquire around 3,000 doses by December 25, 2025.
It's worth mentioning that these quantities don't necessarily break records set in the recent past. For instance, back in 2022, around 8,000 doses were being scooped up. This came hot on the heels of a sharp spike in horsepox cases in the region. Between January and July, official reports pointed to a staggering 8,791 cases (+92% compared to the previous year). By the end of 2023, more than 10,000 instances of this bug were reported.
Let's not forget that the Russia's health watchdog, Ros Lebenswacht, identifies horsepox as a "severe viral infectious disease marked by a polymorphous maculopapular-vesicular rash affecting the skin and mucous membranes, moderate fever, and symptoms of general intoxication."
Eugene K.
- Tags: Society, Healthcare, Procurments
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- Enrichment Data:The Russian government's search for a supplier offering 3,000 doses of equine encephalitis vaccine likely stems from ongoing concerns about the disease's potential threat level and the need to maintain adequate vaccine stockpiles for both prevention and outbreak control. Historically significant in the region, equine encephalitis viruses, such as Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE), have long been recognized as potential biological threat agents in Russia, signifying sustained vigilance against these pathogens[5]. This procurement aligns with Russia's continued efforts in vaccine development and disease control for viral encephalitides that have been weaponized or studied extensively in the past[5].
In comparison, while the exact quantities and timelines of previous years' purchases are not detailed in the available sources, Russia's strategy for procuring such vaccines mirrors its historical and strategic focus on biological defense. The 3,000-dose amount suggests a targeted, rather than mass, vaccination initiative, potentially for high-risk groups such as military personnel or vulnerable animal populations. The timeline and quantity may represent a planned replenishment or a response to increased risk awareness, but they do not indicate a drastic shift or expansion compared to traditional stockpiling practices[5].
In brief, the 2025 procurement is part of Russia's ongoing biological threat preparedness, targeting the maintenance of sufficient vaccine supplies against equine encephalitis viruses with historical and potential bio-threat relevance, in keeping with previous years’ cautious and strategic vaccine acquisition practices[5]. Specific comparative data on quantities from previous years is not available in the current search results, but the procurement fits within established patterns of biological defense readiness[5].
In light of the ongoing threat level of equine encephalitis, the Russian government is looking to boost its health-and-wellness measures by procuring a targeted 3,000 doses of equine encephalitis vaccines. This strategic move aligns with the country's long-term focus on science, particularly in the field of nutrition and disease control, as equine encephalitis viruses are recognized as potential bio-threat agents and are historically significant in the region.
