Malaria Vaccine Price Slashed: Bharat Biotech and GSK Commit to Sub-$5 Dose for Endemic Countries by 2028

In a significant development in the fight against malaria, Bharat Biotech International Limited and GSK plc have announced a substantial reduction in the price of the RTS,S malaria vaccine, also known as Mosquirix™. As of June 26, 2025, the companies have committed to lowering the price of the vaccine to less than $5 per dose in malaria-endemic countries by 2028.

This price reduction is a result of process improvements, expanded production capacity, cost-effective manufacturing, and minimal profit margins. Bharat Biotech has invested over $200 million in new, higher-output manufacturing facilities, product development, and technology transfers to achieve this goal. According to Dr. Krishna Ella, Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech, this initiative aims to "change the course of malaria burden for millions of children and families" by ensuring that life-saving vaccines are accessible to those who need them most[1][5].

The RTS,S vaccine, which was recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in October 2021 for widespread use in children living in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions with moderate to high malaria transmission, has already shown promising results. It reduces uncomplicated malaria by approximately 40%, severe malaria by about 30%, and all-cause mortality by 13% when used in conjunction with other control interventions such as insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and case management[2].

The rollout of the RTS,S vaccine, along with the second recommended malaria vaccine R21, is well underway in Africa. By early April 2025, 19 countries in Africa had introduced these vaccines as part of their childhood immunization programs and national malaria control plans. Additional countries are expected to follow suit in 2025, with at least 30 countries planning to introduce the malaria vaccine into their immunization programs[3].

The R21 vaccine, prequalified by WHO in December 2023, works similarly to the RTS,S vaccine by targeting the sporozoite of the malaria parasite. In areas with highly seasonal malaria transmission, the R21 vaccine has demonstrated a high efficacy, reducing malaria cases by 75%[4].

Despite the significant progress, neither of the malaria vaccines is currently available in the United States. However, the global effort to combat malaria through vaccination is gaining momentum, with Gavi’s support playing a crucial role in ensuring the vaccines reach the communities most affected by the disease[1][3].

This price reduction and the ongoing rollout of malaria vaccines mark a critical step forward in the global fight against malaria, particularly in Africa where the disease has the highest rates of infections and deaths.