Children's malaria vaccine to cost 40% less, reaching up to a million more kids
Gavi and UNICEF have agreed a price of EUR 5.50 per dose with Bharat Biotech, the Indian maker of the RTS,S vaccine, about 40% less than today. The savings, around US$50 million between 2027 and 2029, could cover the full four-dose course for up to a million more children. The price should apply from early 2027, but depends on WHO prequalifying a new manufacturing plant.
Four doses protect a young child from malaria with the RTS,S vaccine. From early 2027, each of those doses could cost EUR 5.50, around 40% less than today, under a deal Gavi and UNICEF have struck with Indian manufacturer Bharat Biotech.
The caveat: the new price is not automatic. Several regulatory and manufacturing milestones must be met before UNICEF starts buying at that price, including WHO prequalification of a new plant that will increase supply.
A million more children for the same money
The estimated savings are about US$50 million between 2027 and 2029. That could pay for the full course for up to a million more children, or countries could put it towards other vaccines, according to UNICEF.
The vaccine is already part of routine childhood immunisation in 25 African countries that together carry more than 70% of the world’s malaria burden. UNICEF has so far procured and delivered more than 74 million doses.
A vaccinator at Soa District Hospital, Cameroon, next to the campaign poster: “Four doses of vaccine for better protection for our children from 6 months of age.” Image: Gavi/2024/Go’tham Industry.
More factories, more doses
“This agreement is an important step towards protecting more children from malaria,” said Leila Pakkala, Director of UNICEF Supply Division. For An Vermeersch, Gavi’s Chief Vaccine Programmes & Markets Officer, the announcement is “a powerful example of what the Vaccine Alliance does best”. The announcement also includes a statement from IFFIm, the financing facility that frontloads funds for Gavi.
Next comes WHO prequalification of the new plant, which the 2027 price depends on.
