For more than two years ASPR has been at the forefront of the COVID response – and with case counts, hospitalizations, and deaths once again rising, we continue to play a very important role on vaccine and therapeutics distribution, delivering free tests and ensuring testing capacity, and more.

But the past few days have served as a reminder that we will and are being called on to prepare for and respond to other health threats. With the recent discovery of monkeypox cases in the U.S., our BARDA and Strategic National Stockpile teams are engaged with CDC and others to support states in their response to confirmed cases. Thanks to the good work and planning from our teams, we are prepared with both the vaccines and antivirals needed to protect the American people.

Over the past week, we have provided critical support to the President’s Operation Fly Formula effort to address the current national shortage of infant formula. ASPR is leading the coordination of logistics associated with the ground transportation, loading, and airlift of infant formula from Europe and other potential locations to the U.S. The first flight landed in Indianapolis on Sunday and more are planned in the days ahead.

At the same time, on Sunday, ASPR identified the need and lined up the authorities that allowed Secretary Becerra to invoke the Defense Production Act (DPA) to accelerate delivery of raw materials and consumables needed to manufacture infant formula domestically. These actions are already having an impact – and we will continue to evaluate opportunities to invoke additional DPA authorities if needed.

Our job in ASPR is to make sure we’re prepared to respond. While our work is never finished, we are proud of the role our team is playing in each of these three health response efforts.