Price of life-saving vaccine expected to drop significantly
GAVI’s market-shaping impact ensures more of the world’s vulnerable children can be vaccinated
A life-saving vaccine against five deadly diseases will now be less expensive for the world's poorest children, the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation (GAVI) Alliance announced recently — says a press release.
Thanks to increased demand for the "pentavalent" vaccine and a reduced price offer by an emerging market vaccine manufacturer, GAVI estimates that in 2011 the average weighted price for the vaccine will go down to US$ 2.58, compared to the current average price of US$ 2.97, and to an even higher price of US$ 3.65 in 2004. This represents a decrease of 30% over the last seven years.
The conjugate vaccine, which protects a child against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and hepatitis B, is highly useful in low-income countries where access to health services particularly in rural and remote areas is often limited and mothers have a much harder time bringing their infants to be regularly vaccinated. By using the pentavalent vaccine, widespread protection is achieved quickly and safely, shipping costs are lower and, with fewer syringes to dispose of, environmental impact is reduced.
GAVI estimates that a fully-funded programme would prevent 3.9 million future deaths by 2015 and make a significant impact on further reducing child mortality around the world.
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