A new international initiative aims to provide countries with equitable, rapid access to vaccines during mpox disease surges.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Global Vaccine Reserve: A newly launched global stockpile managed by the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision will supply mpox vaccines to countries responding to disease outbreaks.
- Equitable Outbreak Access: Funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), the mechanism is designed to ensure all nations can access vaccines based on outbreak impact rather than financial ability.
- Severe Illness Prevention: Vaccination remains critical to mitigating severe illness and containing transmission, particularly among pediatric and immunocompromised patient populations.
A global initiative to establish a dedicated stockpile of mpox vaccines launched on Aug 27, establishing a long-term mechanism to ensure countries have access to vaccines when responding to mpox outbreaks, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Set to begin operations later this month, the global stockpile was approved in 2025 by the board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), which is funding the initiative. The stockpile is coordinated by the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision, whose partner agencies include the WHO, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
“The launch of a stockpile of mpox vaccines is an important step towards a more sustainable and equitable approach to mpox outbreak response. By establishing a dedicated global stockpile, using an approach that has proven successful for managing other emergency vaccines, we are ensuring that countries can access them more quickly when they need them, saving lives and containing outbreaks before they spread further,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, in a news release.
Addressing Global Outbreak Risks
The initiative builds directly upon the Access and Allocation Mechanism established in 2024 during the previous mpox Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), according to the WHO.
From Jan 1, 2022, to July 31, 2026, 145 countries and territories reported 190,683 confirmed mpox cases and 529 deaths, with two-thirds of all reported cases occurring in the African region, the WHO reported. Mpox is a viral disease transmitted primarily via close physical contact, including sexual contact, while ongoing animal-to-human transmission in parts of Africa adds to the persistent risk of fresh outbreaks.
The illness can cause severe disease, especially in children and individuals with compromised immune systems. By shielding individuals at elevated risk of infection and clinical deterioration, vaccination enables healthcare systems to contain mpox surges more swiftly, limit severe complications, and save lives.
“During the 2022 mpox outbreak, lower-income countries were left behind when it came to access to vaccines and it was clear that a mechanism was needed to ensure this global public good could be accessed by those who need it most. Core to the Gavi Leap approach is increasing our responsiveness to country needs, and the bottom line is that any country in the world – not just those with the ability to pay the most – should be able to use this tool to save lives,” said Dr Sania Nishtar, chief executive officer of Gavi.
Coordinated Deployment Mechanisms
The ICG was originally founded in 1997 following major meningitis outbreaks in Africa to manage emergency supplies of vaccines and antibiotics during acute public health crises, the WHO stated. In addition to mpox, the ICG framework manages global emergency vaccine stockpiles for cholera, meningitis, yellow fever, and Ebola virus disease, coordinating with manufacturers and donors to ensure supplies are allocated based on epidemiological need.
“MSF welcomes the establishment of a global mpox vaccine stockpile under the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision, a mechanism that allows for the equal allocation of vaccines as based on demand and impact in controlling disease outbreaks,” said Dr Daniela Garone, international medical coordinator of MSF.
Catherine Russell, executive director of UNICEF, emphasized the importance of targeted pediatric deployment, stating, “Mpox can be devastating for children – not just its physical effects, but also the stigma, interrupted learning, and fear that can come with being isolated from family and friends. This vital initiative will help us quickly get vaccines to the children, families, and communities most at risk of the disease,” said Catherine Russell, executive director of UNICEF.
