Bharat Biotech Slashes Malaria Vaccine Price by 40% for Children
Bharat Biotech partners with Gavi and UNICEF to reduce malaria vaccine costs, aiming to protect an additional one million children.
Bharat Biotech's malaria vaccine price reduced to EUR 5.50 per dose.
Agreement expected to save $50 million for child immunization programs by 2029.
Over 74 million doses of the malaria vaccine have been delivered since rollout.
Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) has announced a significant reduction in the price of its malaria vaccine, RTS, S/AS01, in collaboration with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF. The new pricing, set at EUR 5.50 per dose, marks a 40% decrease from current costs and is expected to take effect by early 2027. This initiative aims to expand access to the vaccine, potentially reaching an additional one million children with the complete four-dose regimen.
The agreement, supported by an advance payment from the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm), is projected to save around $50 million for child immunization programs between 2027 and 2029. This strategic move is part of ongoing efforts to create a more sustainable and competitive market for malaria vaccines, which have become increasingly vital as global health challenges evolve.
Dr. Krishna Ella, Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech, emphasized the importance of this partnership in enhancing malaria vaccination efforts. He noted that the collaboration with Gavi and UNICEF represents a commitment to public health, aiming to protect more children from malaria. Dr. Ella highlighted the need for countries and global organizations to accelerate vaccine introductions to maximize the benefits for at-risk communities.
The demand for malaria vaccines has surged since the rollout began in 2024, with UNICEF procuring and delivering over 74 million doses to date. The Gavi-funded malaria program is now integrated into routine immunization in 25 African nations, which account for more than 70% of the global malaria burden. As funding for international aid declines, establishing affordable and sustainable vaccine supplies is crucial to achieving the goal of vaccinating an additional 50 million children against malaria by 2030.
Malaria remains a critical public health issue, with one child succumbing to the disease every minute. In 2024, there were approximately 282 million malaria cases and 610,000 deaths worldwide, predominantly affecting children under five in Africa. The introduction of new and improved malaria vaccines is essential as climate change alters transmission dynamics and exacerbates health system challenges. Vaccines, alongside other interventions, are vital in the fight against malaria.
