Global mpox vaccine stockpile launched to improve outbreak response

A new global stockpile of mpox vaccines has been launched to improve outbreak response and ensure equitable access to doses. The initiative, which began on August 27, is expected to be operational later this month. Financed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the stockpile is coordinated through the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision, which includes representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

The mechanism aims to prevent the shortages and inequalities experienced during previous outbreaks. It allows countries to request access to vaccines proactively rather than waiting for doses to be secured after an emergency has already escalated. This is particularly critical for the African region, which accounts for approximately two-thirds of reported mpox cases globally.

Mpox remains a significant health threat, with over 190,000 confirmed cases and 529 deaths reported between January 2022 and July 2026. The disease spreads primarily through close physical contact and can cause severe illness, especially in children and immunocompromised individuals.