The Biden administration signed an $11 million deal to support a Michigan company that’s helping make vaccine against monkeypox, another move to bolster prevention of the quickly spreading virus.

The Health and Human Services Department’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority is providing the funding to help Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing acquire equipment and personnel to finish manufacturing 2.5 million monkeypox vaccine vials, according to details of the agreement viewed by Bloomberg. Grand River agreed in August with Bavarian Nordic, the shot’s maker, to fill and finish the vials.

“BARDA’s support helps ensure success in doubling the capacity available to fill and finish this vaccine, improves preparedness for smallpox bioterrorism, and strengthens the security of the US supply chain,” Dawn O’Connell, who heads HHS’s Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, said in a statement. Domestic production will speed up availability of the vaccine, a top priority for the administration, she said.

Monkeypox has quickly spread around the world to infect more than 47,000 people, and about 1.7 million Americans are at high risk of catching it, health officials estimate.... Read More: Bloomberg