• New US$2.99 dose price expected to free up as much as US$90 million in national health budgets.

• Lower costs enable the delivery of over 30 million additional doses and support Gavi’s goal to vaccinate 50 million children by 2030.

• Malaria remains Africa’s highest economic and health burden, with 95% of global deaths recorded on the continent (WHO).

Gavi and UNICEF have negotiated a significant price reduction for the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, lowering the per-dose cost to US$2.99 and unlocking up to US$90 million in fiscal savings for low-income African countries. Backed by an advance payment arrangement financed through the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm), the agreement will allow governments to purchase more than 30 million additional doses, easing pressure on health budgets while expanding vaccine coverage.

Malaria continues to erode Africa’s economic productivity, with the World Health Organization estimating 597,000 global deaths in 2023, 95% of them in Africa, largely affecting children under five. The disease drives absenteeism, reduces labour output, and increases healthcare spending, with treatment costs ranging from US$4–7 per uncomplicated case and more than US$70 for severe infections. These costs, borne by households and governments, constrain already limited fiscal space.

Gavi officials say the reduced price demonstrates how innovative financing can reshape vaccine markets and generate direct economic benefits for African countries. “This is what our Vaccine Alliance does best: leverage financing and partnerships to secure affordable vaccines,” said An Vermeersch, Gavi’s Chief Vaccine Programmes & Markets Officer. The lower cost is expected to help sustain routine immunisation programmes in 24 African countries, from Cameroon and Nigeria to Kenya and Ghana.

UNICEF’s Supply Division Director Leila Pakkala described the price breakthrough as vital at a time of shrinking donor support: “A child dies from malaria every minute, we are determined to secure enough vaccines at the best price.” With over 40 million doses already rolled out through Gavi-supported initiatives, the new pricing will help governments divert savings to other high-priority health needs, improving long-term resilience.

IFFIm chair Ken Lay said converting donor pledges into immediate capital was key to accelerating the deal. As the vaccine scales across the continent, the reduced price is expected not only to save lives but also to support broader economic stability by reducing the financial drain malaria imposes on African households and national budgets.

By Cynthia Ebot Takang