Bharat Biotech Cuts Malaria Vaccine Price by 40% in UNICEF, GAVI Deal
Bharat Biotech has agreed to lower the price of its malaria vaccine, Mosqivac, by 40% under a deal with UNICEF and GAVI.
HYDERABAD, Oct 24: Bharat Biotech International Limited has announced a price reduction for its malaria vaccine Mosqivac, cutting the cost to €5.50 per dose. This change comes as part of an agreement facilitated by UNICEF and backed financially by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
The new price reflects a 40% drop from the current cost of €9.30 per dose. This reduction is expected to be implemented by early 2027 and aims to save around $50 million for child immunization programs from 2027 to 2029, potentially allowing an additional one million children to complete the four-dose regimen of the vaccine.
Krishna Ella, Bharat Biotech’s Executive Chairman, stated that the Gavi-UNICEF deal represents a substantial commitment to increasing malaria vaccination accessibility. He emphasized the importance of collaboration in expanding supply and supporting sustainable access to malaria vaccines.
The RTS,S/AS01 vaccine, manufactured under the Mosqivac brand, was the first malaria vaccine recommended by the WHO in 2021. Since its rollout, demand has surpassed initial expectations, with more than 74 million doses delivered by UNICEF already.
GSK’s Chief Global Health Officer, Harmony P. Garges, commented on the significance of partnerships in global health, particularly as funding pressures mount. She noted that this agreement highlights the need for collaboration in delivering health solutions to children at risk of malaria.
The vaccination program is now a part of routine immunization in 25 African nations that account for over 70% of the global malaria burden. Progress continues, but challenges remain as the system needs to ensure that reduced prices translate into broader immunization coverage, especially in resource-strapped regions.
The price cut is part of a broader strategy to establish a more competitive malaria vaccine market. International financing mechanisms, such as the International Finance Facility for Immunisation, have played a critical role in making this agreement possible, linking immediate funding with future procurement.
However, the planned price reduction depends on successful regulatory approvals and increased production capacity at manufacturing sites. UNICEF cannot initiate purchases under the new pricing agreement until certain conditions are met, including WHO prequalification of new production facilities.
As the program expands, maintaining a steady supply of vaccines will be crucial. The benefits of price reductions could be substantial, but translating financial savings into effective immunization delivery will require adequate health infrastructure and resources.
