Interim Medical Countermeasures Network
(i-MCM-Net)
To enhance collaboration for timely and equitable access to medical countermeasures in public health emergencies
About
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed global vulnerabilities and highlighted the need for stronger international preparedness for future pandemics. To address these, negotiations are ongoing for a convention, agreement or other international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Should a public health emergency arise before these negotiations conclude, an interim coordination mechanism for timely and equitable access to medical countermeasures (MCMs) like diagnostic tests, treatments and vaccines has been established.
This mechanism, known as the interim Medical Countermeasures Network (i-MCM-Net), enhances collaboration through a ‘Network of Networks’ approach. The initiative’s vision is to provide timely and equitable access to quality, safe, effective and affordable MCMs in response to public health emergencies by building on existing networks and fostering global collaboration.
Purpose and principles
Our purpose is to advance a resilient and scalable ecosystem that enhances collaboration for timely and equitable access to MCMs. Our core principles include generating insights, driving impactful outcomes, navigating complexity, leading with integrity and fostering growth through collaboration.
Approach and values
i-MCM-Net leverages the 'Network of Networks' approach to achieve readily scalable capability across the MCM value chain. We are committed to transparency, accountability and inclusivity. These values guide our interactions with countries, communities and partners, promoting coordination, collaboration and communication.
Mpox access and allocation mechanism (AAM)
Purpose
The recent global surge in mpox cases and the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), along with emerging data indicating limited availability of MCMs in the short to mid-term, necessitated the urgent need for a collaborative and transparent process to ensure timely and sufficient sourcing and distribution of MCMs to control the outbreaks. In addition to complement measures such as case investigation, surveillance, and contact tracing, one of the immediate priorities is to vaccinate those at the highest risk of infection, thereby helping to control the outbreak. Building on the i-MCM-Net foundation, an access and allocation mechanism (AAM) for the mpox response was established with key partners to estimate demand and needs in countries, source and secure available supplies and allocate strategically, so MCMs have the desired public health impact.
Guiding principles
The following guiding principles form the foundation for an effective, risk-based, equitable, and community-centered approach to the access and allocation mechanism:
- Preventing illness and death: Prioritize vaccination and other tools to interrupt transmission for those at greatest risk to prevent illness and death.
- Mitigating inequity: Ensure equitable access to medical countermeasures for all people at risk, irrespective of socio-economic or demographic background.
- Ensuring transparency and flexibility:
Establish and maintain clear and open communication about allocation
decisions and be ready to adapt strategies as new data emerge or
situations change.
Strategic objectives
Ensuring equitable access to MCMs is crucial for effectively controlling and mitigating mpox outbreaks. This necessitates robust allocation and supply chain coordination to ensure the timely and fair distribution of MCMs and other essential resources. Key efforts include establishing clear MCM Target Profiles, conducting coordinated demand forecasting for at-risk populations, and utilizing real-time tools to manage supply and affordability. Transparent, needs-based allocation frameworks, supported by efficient logistics, will create a resilient supply chain for the global mpox response.
- Supply availability and access: Facilitate transparent virtual pooling of MCMs, engage manufacturers for access and pricing, and develop a comprehensive supply landscape to coordinate allocation.
- Global demand forecast and aggregation: Aggregate and align MCM requests from countries and regions with available supply, focusing on at-risk populations. Employ predictive analytics to forecast vaccine demand and identify potential shortages, analyzing trends and patterns in vaccine requests and usage to optimize distribution strategies
- Strategic allocation: Prioritize MCM allocation based on epidemiological data and outbreak strategies, regularly adjusting to ensure MCMs reach those most in need, aiding in the control of mpox transmission. This involves conducting geo-spatial analysis to map MCMs distribution and identify in real time hotspots of sustained transmission with and without access to MCMs.
- Effective communication with stakeholders: Implement a multi-faceted communication strategy utilizing digital platforms, and strategic engagement to ensure clear and consistent communication with all stakeholders involved in the coordination and distribution of MCMs.
These objectives, see table below, are designed to ensure a responsive and equitable global mpox response, effectively addressing the evolving challenges of the outbreak.
Partners
- Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)
- Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND)
- Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi)
- EU Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA)
- PAHO Revolving Fund
- United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
- Unitaid
Mpox vaccine dose pledges and ongoing bilateral vaccines donations
News
Publications
This landscape report on the current status of activities related to medical countermeasures (MCMs) for pandemic response underscores the urgent need...
Interim medical countermeasures network: report of the second annual partners meeting, Geneva, Switzerland,...
The report on the interim Medical Countermeasures Network (i-MCM-Net) presents an overview of the network’s second annual Partners Meeting, held...
Considerations for use of avian influenza A(H5) vaccines during the interpandemic and emergence periods:...
WHO conducted a virtual scientific expert consultation on A(H5) vaccines and vaccination. This report provides an overview of the landscape of A(H5) vaccines...
Interim medical countermeasures network regional entities: meeting report, Geneva, Switzerland, 12–13...
This report summarizes the discussions at the meeting of the i-MCM-Net regional entities on enhancing collaboration for timely and equitable access...
This landscape report on the current status of activities related to medical countermeasures (MCMs) for pandemic response underscores the urgent need...
i-MCM-Net partners forum
Useful links
- Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly WHA74.7 (31 May 2021), Agenda item 17.3: Strengthening WHO preparedness for and response to health emergencies
- Strengthening the global architecture for health emergency prevention, preparedness, response and resilience (HEPR)
- High-Level-Meeting on Pandemic Preparedness, prevention and response (HLM PPPR)
- IHR amendments (1 June 2024)
Related
Contact
WHO i-MCM-NET Secretariat
World Health Organization
Avenue Appia 20
1211 Geneva
Switzerland
Email: mcpconsultation@who.int