Gavi and UNICEF have announced a major agreement that will make the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine significantly more affordable and accessible, marking a major step toward protecting millions of children from one of the world’s deadliest diseases. The deal is expected to generate up to US$ 90 million in savings, which will help secure 30 million additional doses and fully vaccinate nearly 7 million more children over the next five years. This price reduction, bringing the cost down to US$ 2.99 per dose, is anticipated to take effect within a year and reflects a shared commitment to building a sustainable and competitive malaria vaccine market.
The agreement was made possible through an innovative advance payment by Gavi, backed by the International Finance Facility for Immunisation, enabling Gavi to act quickly to lock in lower prices. Gavi emphasized that this effort aligns with its goal of fully vaccinating 50 million more children against malaria by 2030. UNICEF, as the world’s largest vaccine purchaser, highlighted the urgency of expanding vaccine access, noting that a child dies from malaria every minute despite preventable solutions being available. Both organizations stressed that the deal comes at a crucial time, as global aid budgets are declining and demand for life-saving vaccines continues to rise.
Gavi has already delivered over 40 million malaria vaccine doses across 24 African countries representing more than 70% of the global malaria burden, integrating the vaccine into routine immunization programs. UNICEF continues to work closely with manufacturers to secure the best prices and ensure a stable global supply. The financing support from IFFIm has once again demonstrated the power of innovative tools to transform long-term commitments into immediate action, helping accelerate access to critical vaccines. The need for such efforts remains high, as malaria cases and deaths have continued to rise, with 263 million cases and 597,000 deaths recorded in 2023—95% of them in Africa, where children under five are most at risk.
