On June 25, 2025, GSK and Bharat Biotech announced plans to halve the price of the RTS,S malaria vaccine—also known as Mosquirix—making it available for less than $5 per dose by 2028. This pivotal change marks a major milestone in global health
1. What changed and why it matters
- The price reduction is due to improved manufacturing processes, expanded capacity, and technology transfer to Bharat Biotech, while GSK continues supplying the adjuvant
- This positions the RTS,S vaccine as more affordable and scalable in low-income countries.
2. Timing and rollout impact
- The reduction will be phased, reaching under $5 by 2028. Meanwhile, 12 African countries will integrate RTS,S into routine immunizations by the end of 2025 with Gavi’s support
- This makes the malaria vaccine to become cheaper a reality on the ground.
3. Competition is already cheaper
- The R21/Matrix-M vaccine from Oxford-SII, costing $2–4 per dose, is already available and WHO-recommended
- While RTS,S at <$5 closes the cost gap, R21 remains more economical.
4. Lives at stake
- Malaria causes over 500,000 deaths a year, mainly in children under five
- WHO found that RTS,S vaccines in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi reduced malaria deaths by 13% and severe cases by 22% in children
- Lower costs could help scale these lifesaving outcomes.
5. A decisive moment for global health
- Driving prices lower aligns with Gavi’s vaccine market-shaping goals, aimed at vaccine access by 2026–2030
- As wealthier nations reduce vaccine aid, this move could maintain momentum in the fight against malaria
✅ Bottom Line
The malaria vaccine to become cheaper isn’t just a marketing phrase—it’s a potential game-changer. By reducing RTS,S prices to below $5 per dose and leveraging more affordable alternatives like R21, these initiatives can expand immunization access and protect millions of vulnerable children. This financial shift, coinciding with expanded manufacturing and support systems, could significantly alter the course of malaria control in the coming decade.
