How a new global vaccine stockpile will help to counter the ongoing mpox threat
August 19, 2025
One year after mpox was declared a global health emergency, outbreaks persist across Africa, underscoring the need for faster and more reliable vaccine access. Gavi’s decision to establish a dedicated mpox vaccine stockpile marks a turning point. By securing supply in advance and shaping demand for manufacturers, Gavi aims to ensure timely response and equitable distribution, especially for low-income countries. While vaccines are critical, the World Health Organization stresses that stronger surveillance, case management, and community engagement remain essential. With cases still rising in conflict-affected areas like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, global coordination and sustained investment are vital.
The mpox crisis continues to challenge health systems across Africa, a year after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Driven primarily by Clade 1b outbreaks and compounded by conflict and weak surveillance, the disease has spread to 21 African countries, with over 30,000 confirmed cases in the first half of 2025 alone. Despite recent declines compared to the 2022 peak, WHO warns that limited testing and monitoring likely mask the true scale of transmission.
In this context, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is stepping forward with a critical intervention. Building on its role in financing and delivering 1.23 million mpox vaccine doses since 2024, Gavi has now approved the creation of a global mpox vaccine stockpile. Expected to be operational by mid-2026, this stockpile will ensure that vaccines are pre-positioned and ready for rapid deployment, rather than secured reactively during outbreaks. By shaping market demand, Gavi also seeks to stabilize supply and encourage manufacturers to prioritize affordable vaccines for low-income settings.
Countries including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Uganda have already received doses through Gavi-supported partnerships. Additional support includes nearly $12 million in emergency cash grants and financing through Gavi’s First Response Fund, designed to mobilize resources quickly during health crises.
Yet vaccines alone are not enough. WHO emphasizes the urgent need for robust surveillance, timely case detection, and strong community engagement to combat stigma and ensure adherence to prevention measures. In conflict-affected regions such as eastern DRC, where healthcare access is disrupted, these challenges are particularly acute.
The establishment of an mpox vaccine stockpile represents a significant step forward. However, only a coordinated international effort that integrates vaccines with broader public health measures will truly bring the outbreak under control.