Biden declares monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency

The Biden administration will tap into public health emergency powers to speed up the distribution of vaccines for monkeypox and improve testing capacity.

The decision to declare monkeypox a public health emergency allows the administration expanded powers to deal with the disease, such as the ability to contract with private companies, such as vaccine distributors, in order to speed up the deployment of the nation's supply of shots. It also gives federal health authorities greater access to state data to monitor the outbreak.

“We’re prepared to take our response to the next level in addressing this virus, and we urge every American to take monkeypox seriously and to take responsibility to help us tackle this virus,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said.

The administration has been criticized for stumbling early on in addressing the unusual spread of monkeypox, first in Europe and then throughout the United States starting in mid-May. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention puts the total number of cases in the U.S. at more than 6,600, primarily among men who have sex with men. Activists for gay and transgender groups have charged the Biden administration with a lack of urgency.