Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has announced a deal to cut the price of the RTS, S/AS01 malaria vaccine by approximately 40 per cent, potentially saving $50 million for childhood immunisation programmes.

The organisation disclosed the agreement in a statement on Thursday, saying the United Nations Children’s Fund executed the deal, citing increased demand for malaria vaccines.

“An agreement announced today will cut the price of the RTS, S/AS01 malaria vaccine by approximately 40 per cent. The deal, executed by UNICEF and financially backed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is expected to generate around US$50 million in savings between 2027 and 2029.

“As demand for malaria vaccines grows, this could protect up to one million more children with the full four-dose course or help countries reach more children with other vaccines,” Gavi said.

According to the organisation, the deal would cut the price of a dose of vaccine to €5.50 from €7.70, financed by the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm) and expected to come into effect in early 2027.

“The deal, enabled through an advance payment by the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm), will bring the price of the vaccine to EUR 5.50 per dose, a reduction of approximately 40 per cent from the price paid today.

“The agreement is subject to regulatory and manufacturing milestones – including WHO prequalification of a new manufacturing facility that will enable greater supply capacity – which must be met before UNICEF begins procuring doses,” Gavi noted.

Amid a decline in funding for international aid and an increase in demand for malaria vaccines, efforts to create affordable and sustainable supply are critical to meet the Alliance’s target to vaccinate 50 million more children against malaria by 2030, according to the organisation.

Commenting on the agreement, Leila Pakkala, Director of UNICEF Supply Division, described the deal as an important step toward ensuring the safety of children.

“This agreement is an important step towards protecting more children from malaria by expanding access to life-saving vaccines where they are needed most.

“At the same time, it sends a strong signal in support of continued innovation, helping to advance the development of next-generation vaccines that can further reduce the burden of malaria for future generations,” Ms Pakkala stated.

An Vermeersch, Gavi’s Chief Vaccine Programmes and Markets Officer, said, “Today’s announcement is a powerful example of what the Vaccine Alliance does best: bringing together financing, technical expertise and strategic partnerships to shape healthier vaccine markets and expand access for the children who need vaccines most.”