Malaria vaccination in western Kenya. The country introduced the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine in 2019 across eight counties.Gavi and Unicef have struck an agreement that will make the
R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine more affordable and accessible, a move that could
protect an extra seven million children in the next five years.
While the vaccine is not yet part of Kenya’s national
immunisation programme, this new Gavi–Unicef pricing deal could make broader
rollout more financially feasible next year.
Backed by Gavi and executed by Unicef, the deal is expected
to generate up to US$90 million in savings, which translates into more than 30
million additional doses of the vaccine, the two organisations announced in a
statement.
Gavi is funding the
deal through an advance payment, made possible by its innovative International
Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm).
Under the agreement, the price of a single vaccine dose will
drop to US$2.99 (around Sh390), a reduction set to take effect in about a
year.
This cut reflects the
shared mission of Gavi and Unicef to foster a sustainable, competitive malaria
vaccine market. The move also supports Gavi’s broader goal to fully vaccinate 50
million more children by 2030, the Geneva-based alliance said.
“Today’s announcement is a powerful example of what our
Vaccine Alliance does best: leverage innovative financing and partnerships to
shape vaccine markets and secure access to affordable vaccines – saving lives
and delivering economic benefits to countries in the process,” said An
Vermeersch, Gavi’s chief vaccine programmes and markets officer. She added that
demand for the vaccine has been unprecedented and thanked partners for matching
the commitment shown by countries.
Gavi’s role extends beyond just buying doses: it also
supports procurement, logistics, market shaping, and helps national
immunisation programmes incorporate the vaccine.
To date, more than 40
million malaria vaccine doses have been delivered via Gavi in 24 African
countries, nations that together shoulder over 70 per cent of the world’s malaria
burden.
Unicef, as the world’s largest vaccine buyer, delivers
nearly three billion doses every year, enough to vaccinate almost half of the
planet’s children.
In this deal, Unicef
is negotiating directly with the manufacturer, helping keep prices low, and
working with Gavi and others to sustain a healthy global vaccine supply.
“A child dies from malaria every minute, a devastating death
toll of nearly half a million young lives claimed each year,” said Leila
Pakkala, Director of Unicef’s supply division. “At this critical juncture of
unprecedented decline in funding for international aid, Unicef is determined to
continue our proactive work with partners to deliver enough vaccines at the
best possible price to immunise and protect children from preventable
diseases.”
The deal was made possible by IFFIm, which turns long-term
donor pledges into immediate cash — allowing Gavi to act fast when
opportunities arise. Since its inception, IFFIm has mobilised billions to
accelerate immunisation efforts globally.
“IFFIm exists to turn ambition into action. This agreement
shows how financial innovation can unlock opportunities that save lives. By
enabling Gavi to move quickly, we’re not just funding vaccines – we’re helping
fight malaria and create a future where every child has a fair chance at
protection,” said Ken Lay, chair of IFFIm’s board of directors.
Malaria remains among Kenya’s most serious public health
challenges. The country introduced the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine in 2019 across eight counties, including Kisumu, Siaya, Busia,
Migori, Kakamega, Homabay, Vihiga, and Bungoma.
Studies in Kenya have
confirmed the safety of RTS,S, showing up to a 32 per cent drop in severe
malaria hospital admissions among vaccinated children.
However, Kenya has not yet introduced the R21/Matrix-M
vaccine into its routine immunisation schedule.
Gibson Maina, the former country lead at 1Day Sooner, said
this delay was unreasonable, saying R21 has higher efficacy and lower cost
compared to RTS,S.
“The R21 offers higher efficacy, lower costs, and easier
storage; its adoption is both a medical and economic necessity. The government
must urgently transition to R21, learning from its Covid-19 response by
ensuring multiple vaccine options and prioritising public health over
bureaucratic inertia,” he said.
The World Health Organization officially recommended R21 in
late 2023. Kenyan health authorities acknowledge its potential.
A WHO-Kenya bulletin noted that R21 could significantly
bolster malaria prevention, especially when combined with existing tools.