Global vaccine alliance Gavi and Unicef sign deal to cut malaria vaccine price

Global vaccine alliance Gavi and its partner Unicef will pay 25% less for a new malaria vaccine made by the Serum Institute of India within roughly a year’s time, allowing them to reach more children despite cuts in international aid. The deal will reduce the cost of the R21 vaccine to $2.99 a dose from around $4. Unicef buys the vaccines with funding from Gavi, a partnership that works with governments to immunize children in the world’s poorest countries. Gavi estimates the price drop will save $90 million, which can fund 30 million more doses for up to 7 million more children over the next five years.