A malaria vaccine just got about 40% cheaper — and up to a million more children could be protected

The price of protection just fell. An agreement executed by UNICEF and backed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, will cut the price of the RTS,S malaria vaccine by about 40 per cent, to €5.50 per dose (about $6.40), generating around $50 million in savings between 2027 and 2029 — enough, the partners say, to protect up to one million more children with the full four-dose course. The deal, enabled by an advance payment from the International Finance Facility for Immunisation, is expected to take effect by early 2027 as production transfers to Bharat Biotech in India. More than 74 million doses have already been delivered, and the vaccine is now part of routine immunisation in 25 African countries. 'This agreement is an important step towards protecting more children from malaria by expanding access to life-saving vaccines where they are needed most,' said Leila Pakkala, Director of UNICEF's Supply Division.

SDG 3 · Good health and well-being — Mechanism: market force