ICG for mpox

Under the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR), WHO has twice declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) for mpox: the first from July 2022 to May 2023, and the second from 14 August 2024 to 4 September 2025. The WHO Strategic framework for enhancing prevention and control of mpox (2024-2027) [1] endorsed by the IHR Review Committee for mpox in 2023 and the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly in 2024, calls for a global mpox vaccine rapid deployment mechanism to be in place by 2026.  

Given the improved but persistent barriers to accessing mpox vaccines, it is essential to ensure timely transition to longer-term support for countries in need of vaccines and related supplies. In July 2025, the Gavi Alliance Board approved the opening of a funding window for an mpox vaccine stockpile.  

In November 2025, WHO and ICG partners (UNICEF, MSF and IFRC with financial support of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi)) through the ICG Governance Oversight Committee (GOC), decided to establish an mpox vaccine stockpile under the ICG mechanism.  

The purpose of the stockpile is to ensure a timely, equitable, sustainable and coordinated access to vaccines and supplies for mpox outbreak response and prevention. The ICG will explore use of the mechanism to facilitate access to diagnostics and related supplies.  

Strategic objectives are to:  

• Ensure timely, equitable, and sustainable mpox vaccine and supplies access for outbreak response. 

• Strengthen policies and procedures for global emergency vaccine stockpile.  

• Secure a robust product mix of vaccines and supplies for emergency response. 

• Support market-shaping efforts for longer-term sustainable access to mpox vaccines. 

• Support prevention of outbreak expansion.  

The functioning of the  mpox vaccine stockpile is guided by the principles of the ICG mechanism : equity, rapid and timely access, independence - as well as the principles set out in the WHO Strategic framework for enhancing mpox prevention and control (2024-2027): community leadership, equity and human rights, context-specific collaboration and integration, and commitment to continuous learning. The ICG will also explore use of the mechanism for facilitating access to diagnostics and related supplies.  

Operationalization of the mpox vaccine stockpile is under way. 

[1] World Health Organization. Strategic framework for enhancing prevention and control of mpox (2024-2027). Geneva. 24 May 2024. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240092907