On November 24, 2025, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF announced a breakthrough pricing agreement for the R21/Matrix-M™ malaria vaccine, making it more accessible and affordable for high-burden countries. The initiative is expected to protect 7 million additional children by 2030 and support Gavi’s target of vaccinating 50 million children worldwide.
Key Features of the Agreement
- Reduced Price: US$ 2.99 per dose
- Savings: Up to US$ 90 million
- Additional Doses: 30 million
- Impact: Full vaccination for 7 million children
The deal is enabled by Gavi’s advance financing, backed by the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm), which converts long-term donor pledges into immediate funding, creating a sustainable and competitive malaria vaccine market.
Global Context
Malaria continues to claim nearly half a million child deaths annually, with 95% of fatalities in Africa. Beyond saving lives, the vaccine reduces healthcare costs, where basic outpatient care can cost US$ 4–7 and severe hospitalizations can exceed US$ 70 per case.
UNICEF and Gavi’s Role
UNICEF ensures strategic procurement and maintains a secure supply chain, delivering nearly three billion doses annually, while Gavi supports over 24 African countries and has already delivered 40 million malaria vaccine doses.
Innovative Financing
Through IFFIm, rapid funding enables price reductions and scale-up of vaccine distribution, helping ensure every child has a fair chance at protection.
This agreement represents a major step toward malaria prevention, child health equity, and global vaccine accessibility.
