Gavi and UNICEF reach agreement to cut malaria vaccine prices by 40%

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF have announced an agreement to reduce the price of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine by approximately 40%. The cost per dose is expected to drop to €5.50, a change anticipated to take effect in early 2027.

This price reduction is driven by the transfer of vaccine manufacturing to producers in developing countries, fostering a more competitive and sustainable market. The adjustment is expected to save approximately $50 million for childhood immunization programs between 2027 and 2029. These savings could enable up to one million additional children to complete the required four-dose vaccination regimen.

Implementation of the new pricing is contingent upon meeting specific regulatory and manufacturing requirements, including WHO pre-qualification for new production facilities. The initiative comes as demand for malaria vaccines continues to exceed initial projections; UNICEF has already procured and distributed over 74 million doses. The vaccine is a critical tool in combating malaria, which causes an estimated 610,000 deaths annually, the majority of whom are children under five.