Global Mpox Vaccine Stockpile Launched to Ensure Equitable Access

A new global initiative to create a stockpile of mpox vaccines was officially launched on August 27, establishing a lasting framework to guarantee nations have vaccine access during mpox outbreaks.

Scheduled to become operational later this month, this global mpox vaccine stockpile—accessible to all countries—was approved in 2025 by the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and is funded by Gavi. The initiative is coordinated by the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision, whose partners include the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

This effort builds upon the Access and Allocation Mechanism established in 2024 during the previous mpox Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), aiming to provide nations with timely and equitable access to vaccines for outbreak response.

Mpox continues to trigger outbreaks worldwide, with two-thirds of reported cases concentrated in the African Region. Between January 1, 2022, and July 31, 2026, 145 countries and territories reported 190,683 confirmed cases and 529 deaths. The viral disease primarily spreads through close physical contact, though animal-to-human transmission persists in parts of Africa, sustaining the risk of new outbreaks. Mpox can cause severe illness, particularly in children and immunocompromised individuals. Vaccines mitigate these risks by protecting those vulnerable to infection and severe disease, thereby containing outbreaks faster, preventing severe illness, and saving lives.

Quotes from partners:

Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, said: “During the 2022 mpox outbreak, lower-income countries were marginalized in vaccine access, highlighting the urgent need for a mechanism ensuring this global public good reaches those who need it most. Central to the Gavi Leap approach is increasing our responsiveness to country needs. Ultimately, any nation—not just those with the greatest financial capacity—must be able to utilize this tool to save lives. Gavi supported the 2024 global mpox emergency response by securing rapid dose access through our First Response Fund, and our Board agreed to establish and finance a global stockpile managed by our ICG partners. We hope this stockpile will safeguard the world against the threat of this deadly disease.”

Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General and CEO of the IFRC, said: “Mpox is a terrible illness, and I am pleased to see this critical milestone achieved in the fight to control it. Access to vaccines for all who need them is absolutely essential. This global coordination mechanism and vaccine stockpile are vital, as they will help ensure vaccines reach the people and communities at greatest risk exactly when and where they are needed most. This is truly welcome news.”

Dr Daniela Garone, International Medical Coordinator, MSF, said: “MSF welcomes the creation of a global mpox vaccine stockpile under the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision, a mechanism that facilitates the equal allocation of vaccines based on demand and the impact of controlling disease outbreaks. The unique nature of mpox, characterized by the coexistence of different variants affecting distinct populations, now demands close collaboration among country, regional, and global mechanisms, as well as between disease programs, health managers, communities, and public health partners, to reach more people with mpox vaccines.”

Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director, said: “Mpox can be devastating for children—not only due to its physical effects, but also because of the stigma, interrupted learning, and fear that accompany isolation from family and friends. This crucial initiative will help us rapidly deliver vaccines to the children, families, and communities most at risk of the disease.”

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said: “The launch of an mpox vaccine stockpile represents a significant step toward a more sustainable and equitable approach to mpox outbreak response. By establishing a dedicated global stockpile using a strategy that has proven successful for managing other emergency vaccines, we are ensuring that countries can access them more quickly when needed, saving lives and containing outbreaks before they spread further.”

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