Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech, in collaboration with global healthcare leader GSK, has announced a major price reduction for the world’s first malaria vaccine, RTS,S. The vaccine will be made available for under $5 per dose for children in malaria-endemic regions, significantly boosting accessibility and the potential to save thousands of young lives each year.
The announcement, made on Wednesday, is part of the companies’ joint commitment to the Gavi Vaccine Alliance for its 2026–2030 programme phase. The reduced pricing will be phased in over the coming years and is expected to be fully implemented by 2028.
According to Bharat Biotech, the price drop has been made possible through a combination of enhanced manufacturing efficiencies, expanded production capacity, cost-optimized processes, and a deliberate choice to maintain minimal profit margins.
RTS,S, the first malaria vaccine recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), has been a breakthrough in the global fight against the disease. Since WHO’s endorsement in 2021, GSK has invested significantly in scaling up production and transferring key manufacturing technology to Bharat Biotech.
In turn, Bharat Biotech has invested over $200 million to establish high-capacity production facilities and advance product development.
With support from Gavi, the vaccine is expected to become part of routine immunisation programmes across 12 African countries by the end of 2025.
This initiative is driven by a collaborative effort involving Bharat Biotech, GSK, WHO, PATH, MedAccess, and the governments of affected nations.
Dr. Krishna Ella, Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech, remarked, “This pledge is more than just a price reduction—it reflects our commitment to global health equity. We aim to bridge the gap between vaccine availability and the pressing needs of children at risk of malaria.”
Echoing the sentiment, Thomas Breuer, Chief Global Health Officer at GSK, stated, “Through close collaboration with Bharat Biotech and our global partners, we’re making this life-saving vaccine more affordable and accessible. Today’s announcement marks a critical step forward in malaria prevention.”
For families in malaria-stricken areas, the reduced cost of the RTS,S vaccine represents a significant advancement in the broader effort to control—and ultimately eliminate—malaria worldwide.