Resources required for malaria vaccine delivery are comparable to those needed for other new vaccine introductions. Malaria vaccine cost of delivery estimates suggest a cost range that varies both by country and delivery strategy. Go to footnote 1 Go to footnote 2 This range is indicative of the varied resource requirements for malaria vaccines across countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Excluding the cost of vaccines and the initial setup costs, the estimated recurrent cost of delivery per dose ranged from US$0.29 to US$ 0.86 (financial), and from US$ 0.59 to US$ 2.29 (economic) based on a retrospective cost of delivery study of the phased pilot subnational introduction and delivery of a 4-dose schedule of RTS,S/AS01 Go to footnote 3
Findings suggest that vaccine delivery using the seasonal schedule, with mass campaigns approach is the costliest option and the hybrid schedule without mass campaigns is the least costly option. Go to footnote 4
Direct comparisons of the results across delivery costing studies should be made with caution, as the methods, delivery strategies and schedules, settings and context can vary widely.
- Go back to footnote reference 1
United Nations Children’s Fund (2024). Standard costs of fully vaccinating a child: countries eligible for Gavi vaccine prices. New York: United Nations Children’s Fund (https://www.unicef.org/media/161751/file/Standard%20costs%20of%20fully%20vaccinating%20a%20child_UNICEF_2024.pdf, accessed 8 January 2026).
- Go back to footnote reference 2
Anosike C, Ojiakor IM, Etiaba EI, Uguru NP, Ezenduka CC et al. Cost-effectiveness and budget impact of malaria, measles, and meningitis vaccines in Africa: a scoping review. Vaccine. 2025;67:127853. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127853.
- Go back to footnote reference 3
Baral R, Levin A, Odero C, Pecenka C, Tanko Bawa J et al. Cost of introducing and delivering RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine within the malaria vaccine implementation program. Vaccine. 2023;41(8):1496–1502. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.01.043.
- Go back to footnote reference 4
Diawara H, Bocoum FY, Dicko A, Levin A, Lee C et al. Cost of introducing and delivering malaria vaccine (RTS,S/AS01E) in areas of seasonal malaria transmission, Mali and Burkina Faso. BMJ Glob Health. 2023;8(4):e011316. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2022-011316.
