Following the emergence of mpox subclade Ib in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in September 2023, the World Health Organization declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
Following the first allocation round in November 2024, where the Access and Allocation Mechanism (AAM) allocated 899 000 vaccine doses to nine African countries, the AAM has allocated an additional 238 000 doses during a second allocation round. These doses will benefit four countries severely affected by the mpox surge: Angola, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Uganda. These countries are in the process of accepting the doses, and shipment arrangements are underway. These vaccines are vital in reducing transmission and containing outbreaks of mpox.
The work of the AAM, which is a collaboration of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention; the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; UNICEF and WHO, highlights the importance of international coordination in addressing public health emergencies. By working together, countries and organizations can ensure that medical countermeasures reach those most in need, ultimately saving lives and preventing further spread of the disease. This second allocation of mpox vaccines marks a significant step towards a coordinated and targeted response to the ongoing health crisis.