Global Initiative Launched to Establish Mpox Vaccine Stockpile

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On 27 August, a global initiative to establish a centralized mpox vaccine stockpile was launched to ensure equitable access during outbreaks. Funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and coordinated by the International Coordinating Group (ICG)—comprised of the IFRC, MSF, UNICEF, and the WHO—the mechanism builds upon the 2024 Access and Allocation Mechanism. This effort follows a period from 1 January 2022 to 31 July 2026, during which 145 countries reported 190,683 confirmed cases and 529 deaths, with the African Region accounting for two-thirds of these incidents. The stockpile aims to address previous inequities in vaccine access and provide a rapid response tool to contain the viral disease.

Consequences

The initiative will provide countries with immediate access to vaccines to contain outbreaks and prevent severe illness in high-risk populations. By creating a formalized allocation process managed by the ICG, the mechanism seeks to prevent the disparities in vaccine distribution that occurred during the 2022 outbreak.

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