GENEVA, Sept 3 — A global stockpile of mpox vaccines has been launched to ensure countries can quickly access shots during outbreaks, closing a gap that left lower-income nations behind during the 2022 emergency. The initiative, announced on August 27, creates a long-term mechanism coordinated by the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision. Its 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).
The stockpile is funded and was approved by the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in 2025, and is set to begin operations later this month.
Why the stockpile matters
The new mechanism builds on the Access and Allocation Mechanism set up in 2024, during the last mpox Public Health Emergency of International Concern. It aims to provide timely and equitable access to vaccines for outbreak response — something that was highlighted as missing in 2022. “During the 2022 outbreak, lower-income countries lacked vaccine access,” said Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi.
The new mechanism ensures any country can use this tool to save lives, she said. Gavi supported the 2024 response through its First Response Fund and established the stockpile to keep the world safer.
Mpox continues to cause outbreaks globally, with two-thirds of reported cases occurring in the African Region. From 1 January 2022 to 31 July 2026, 145 countries and territories reported 190,683 confirmed cases and 529 deaths.
A disease that hits the vulnerable hardest
Mpox is a viral disease that spreads primarily through close physical contact between people, while animal-to-human transmission continues to occur in parts of Africa, contributing to ongoing risk. The disease can cause severe illness, especially in children and people with suppressed immune systems. Vaccines help contain outbreaks more quickly, prevent severe illness, and save lives.
Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General and CEO of the IFRC, welcomed the step, emphasizing that access to vaccines for all who need them is vital. Dr Daniela Garone, International Medical Coordinator of MSF, noted the stockpile allows equal allocation based on demand and impact, and stressed the need for collaboration due to the coexistence of different mpox variants.
Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director, highlighted the devastating effects of mpox on children, including stigma and interrupted learning. The initiative, she said, will help quickly get vaccines to children and families. The stockpile represents a faster path to protection for communities where outbreaks occur.
The question now is how quickly doses can move when the next outbreak hits — and whether the mechanism holds up under real-world pressure.
