Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF announced on Thursday, October 22, an agreement that will cut the price of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine by approximately 40 per cent, bringing it down to €5.50 per dose.

Source: Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

The deal, executed by UNICEF and financially backed by Gavi, is expected to generate around US$50 million in savings between 2027 and 2029 — yaani roughly five crore US dollars that countries and the Alliance can instead spend on reaching more children.

€5.50new price per RTS,S dose
~40%price cut under the deal
US$50 millionexpected savings, 2027–2029
1 millionmore children who could get the full four-dose course

As demand for malaria vaccines grows, the savings could protect up to one million more children with the full four-dose course of the vaccine, or help countries reach more children with other vaccines, the two organisations said.

The agreement was enabled through an advance payment by the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm), which converts long-term donor pledges into upfront funding. UNICEF's own published price data currently lists the RTS,S vaccine at €9.30 per dose, which matches the scale of the cut to €5.50 announced on Thursday.

Source: UNICEF Supply Division price data

Price cut starts in early 2027 — if milestones are met

The lower price is expected to take effect by early 2027. The agreement is subject to regulatory and manufacturing milestones — including World Health Organization prequalification of a new manufacturing facility that will increase supply capacity — which must be met before UNICEF begins procuring doses at the new price.

Gavi said the deal builds on the transfer of the vaccine's production to a vaccine manufacturer in a developing country, and reflects sustained efforts to shape a more sustainable and competitive malaria vaccine market, so that growing demand can be met over the long term.