A vaccine made in India is about to get a lot cheaper for the children who need it most. Bharat Biotech has agreed to cut the price of its malaria vaccine by roughly 40%, a move that could put the full course of shots within reach of up to one million more children.
Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) signed the pricing deal with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF, the companies and agencies said on October 23, 2026. The vaccine, RTS,S/AS01, which Bharat Biotech sells as Mosqivac, will cost EUR 5.50 per dose from early 2027. UNICEF is executing the agreement and Gavi is paying for it.
Quick Facts
- Who: Bharat Biotech, Gavi and UNICEF, with GSK as the vaccine’s original developer
- What: About a 40% price cut on the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine (Mosqivac)
- New price: EUR 5.50 per dose
- When: Announced October 23, 2026; new price expected from early 2027
- Where: Mainly for Gavi-supported programmes in 25 African countries
- Savings: About US$50 million between 2027 and 2029
What the Malaria Vaccine Deal Actually Changes
The headline number is the price. Each dose drops to EUR 5.50, and because a child needs four doses for full protection, the savings add up quickly across millions of children.
Gavi and UNICEF estimate the deal will save around US$50 million for child immunisation programmes from 2027 to 2029. That money can be spent on more shots. Their estimate is that it could help protect up to one million more children with the complete four-dose schedule.
The cut was made possible by an advance payment from the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm), a financing arm that raises money upfront for Gavi’s vaccine programmes. Paying early gives manufacturers certainty, and that certainty helps bring the price down.
Why the Mosqivac Price Cut Matters Right Now
Malaria is still one of the biggest killers of young children in the world. According to the figures shared with the announcement, there were an estimated 282 million malaria cases and 610,000 deaths worldwide in 2024. Up to 95% of cases and deaths were in Africa, and around 74% of deaths in that region were children under five.
Demand for the vaccine has run ahead of early forecasts since the rollout started in 2024. UNICEF says it has procured and delivered more than 74 million doses so far. The Gavi-funded programme is now part of routine immunisation in 25 African countries, which together carry more than 70% of the global malaria burden.
The timing is also important. Global health budgets are under pressure as international aid shrinks, and a cheaper vaccine means each dollar donors still give stretches further. GSK’s Chief Global Health Officer, Dr Harmony P Garges, said partnership “matters more than ever” while resources are tight.
How an Indian Company Ended Up Making the World’s First Malaria Vaccine
RTS,S/AS01 was developed by British drugmaker GSK together with the non-profit PATH and other partners. In 2021 it became the first malaria vaccine to be recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Bharat Biotech later took over manufacturing through a technology transfer from GSK. The two companies say they have together invested US$200 million in higher-output factories, product development and the transfer itself. Bharat Biotech is the company many Indians know from Covaxin, its COVID-19 vaccine.
Executive Chairman Dr Krishna Ella called the deal “a far-reaching commitment to expand malaria vaccination” and urged countries and global agencies to speed up vaccine introductions.
How Well Does the RTS,S Malaria Vaccine Work?
According to the information released with the deal, a full four-dose course reduces malaria cases by about 75% when given seasonally in areas where transmission spikes at certain times of year.
The vaccine is not meant to work alone. Bed nets treated with insecticide, repellents, mosquito control, preventive medicines and fast diagnosis and treatment all stay part of the plan. Climate change adds pressure too, as rising temperatures and flooding shift where and when malaria spreads.
RTS,S is one of two WHO-recommended malaria vaccines. The other, R21/Matrix-M, is made by the Serum Institute of India, which also agreed a lower Gavi-UNICEF price in late 2025. That means both malaria vaccines used in Africa’s programmes are now made by Indian companies.
What We Don’t Know Yet
- The exact start date in early 2027 has not been announced.
- The companies have not said whether the vaccine will be introduced in India’s own immunisation programme.
- Which countries will get the extra doses first has not been detailed.
What This Means for You
For readers in India, this deal does not change anything at your local clinic today. The vaccine is supplied through Gavi and UNICEF mainly to African countries. Malaria and dengue still circulate in many Indian states after the monsoon, so the usual steps matter: use mosquito nets and repellents, clear standing water around your home, and see a doctor quickly if you get a fever with chills. If you are travelling to a malaria-risk country, consult a doctor about prevention before you go.
Our Take
Price cuts rarely make headlines, but this one could matter more than many launches. A shot that is cheap enough to buy in bulk is the kind that ends up in children’s arms. It is also a quiet win for India’s vaccine industry, which now makes both of the world’s recommended malaria vaccines. The real test will be how fast countries turn the savings into doses.
FAQs
What is the new price of the Mosqivac malaria vaccine?
Under the Gavi-UNICEF deal, it will cost EUR 5.50 per dose from early 2027, about 40% lower than now.
Who makes the RTS,S malaria vaccine?
GSK and PATH developed it. Bharat Biotech now manufactures it under the brand name Mosqivac after a technology transfer from GSK.
How many doses of the malaria vaccine does a child need?
The full schedule is four doses. Given seasonally in high-transmission areas, the full course cuts malaria cases by about 75%.
Is the malaria vaccine available in India?
This deal covers Gavi-supported programmes, mainly in 25 African countries. No India rollout has been announced as part of it.
How much money will the deal save?
Gavi and UNICEF estimate about US$50 million in savings for child immunisation programmes between 2027 and 2029.
Read more about the vaccine on the WHO’s RTS,S malaria vaccine Q&A and Gavi’s malaria coverage.
Based on reporting by ETV Bharat, The Federal and The News Mill (ANI).
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