Stockpiling for mpox emergencies
April 28, 2025
Recent mpox outbreaks have underscored the need for a sustainable global response. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, currently supports vaccine deployment in African countries and is planning to establish an emergency mpox vaccine stockpile. This initiative would ensure rapid response to future outbreaks and incentivize manufacturers to maintain production despite unpredictable demand. However, the creation of the stockpile depends on Gavi’s success in raising $9 billion for its 2026–2030 strategic cycle. A stockpile would move global health efforts beyond the current reliance on emergency donations and fragmented supplies, ensuring equitable and timely access to vaccines during future public health emergencies.
The resurgence of mpox, once considered a sporadic zoonotic infection, has highlighted its growing potential as a public health threat. With human-to-human transmission increasingly common and case fatality rates reaching up to 10% depending on the strain, proactive vaccination strategies are urgently needed.
Currently, two vaccines recommended by the World Health Organization are being deployed in several African countries with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. However, this response relies heavily on donations and emergency procurements, a model that Gavi acknowledges is unsustainable for long-term outbreak control. To address this, Gavi plans to establish a dedicated mpox vaccine stockpile, ensuring swift deployment during future outbreaks and providing manufacturers with the market stability needed to sustain production.
“The stockpile would send a clear signal to vaccine producers about the long-term demand,” said Allyson Russell, Gavi’s Senior Programme Manager for Outbreaks and Global Health Security. Without it, fluctuating needs risk jeopardizing production capacity precisely when urgent response is needed.
The proposed stockpile initiative hinges on Gavi’s success in its current fundraising drive, seeking $9 billion from governments, foundations, and private sector donors for its 2026–2030 strategic cycle. A portion of this funding would be allocated to building and maintaining the mpox vaccine reserve.
If secured, the stockpile would not only enhance readiness but also promote equitable access to vaccines in lower-income countries often hardest hit by outbreaks. It represents a vital shift from reactive emergency responses to a more strategic, preventive framework for global health security.
As mpox continues to circulate and evolve, investing in preparedness through a reliable vaccine reserve is critical to protecting vulnerable populations and mitigating the devastating impacts of future outbreaks.