Monday 24th November 2025
by inAfrika Newsroom
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, says a new malaria vaccine pricing agreement will expand protection for millions of African children. The malaria vaccine pricing deal, announced on Monday, was reached with UNICEF and manufacturing partners to sharply cut the cost of a key childhood malaria shot for eligible countries. Gavi said the lower prices will help governments stretch tight health budgets while scaling up immunisation in high-risk regions.
Under the malaria vaccine pricing arrangement, Gavi and UNICEF will consolidate demand from African countries and negotiate longer-term supply contracts. Officials expect that approach to stabilise production and reduce delivery gaps that have slowed roll-out since the first malaria vaccines were approved. They also signalled plans to integrate the malaria shot into routine childhood schedules alongside measles, polio and other vaccines.
Gavi said technical support will focus on training health workers, strengthening cold-chain systems and improving data on coverage in remote districts. Governments are being encouraged to maintain funding for bed nets, spraying and rapid diagnosis, with the vaccine framed as an additional layer of protection rather than a stand-alone solution.
The malaria vaccine pricing deal matters because malaria still kills hundreds of thousands of Africans every year, most of them young children. Cheaper doses mean more African countries can move from pilot projects to nationwide programmes without blowing their health budgets. Higher coverage reduces hospital admissions, frees beds for other illnesses and cuts household spending on treatment and funerals. Over time, fewer malaria cases can boost school attendance and labour productivity, especially in agriculture-dependent economies. If the deal holds, it shows that pooled African demand can secure better terms in life-saving markets that once felt out of reach.
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