Geneva, 26 May 2016 – Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance welcomes the continued trend of decreasing prices for five-in-one pentavalent vaccine. Prices for pentavalent doses to be supplied to Gavi-supported countries over the next two years have been published by UNICEF following the completion of the first stage of a multi-stage tender.
The pentavalent vaccine protects against five major infections in one shot: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib). It remains a cornerstone of Gavi’s immunisation efforts and is the first vaccine to have been introduced into the routine immunisation systems of all Gavi-supported countries.
Between 2000 and 2015, more than 200 million children living in the world’s poorest countries were protected with the pentavalent vaccine. Gavi estimates that investment in pentavalent vaccination between 2011 and 2020 will avert 5.6 million deaths.
In recent years the pentavalent market has become highly competitive – and more stable – through an increasing number of prequalified vaccines, new vaccine presentations, and production capacity that now exceeds aggregate demand. This increasing competition and the high level of predictable demand from Gavi-supported countries have contributed to a decreasing pricing trend.
Through this tender Gavi seeks to cultivate a healthy vaccine market to ensure that the supply of high-quality, affordable vaccines meets demand and that the developing countries’ needs are fully met through continued innovation. The tender also aims to preserve long-term market competition with multiple suppliers and to achieve low and sustainable prices for developing countries, including those that have transitioned from Gavi support. See UNICEF Request for Proposal section 2.2. for full description of tender objectives.
The multi-phase tender covers the three year period 2017 to 2019. It is an innovative procurement method for vaccines where manufacturers are invited to submit offers and are awarded volumes in phases, with UNICEF publishing prices after finalisation of each phase. The first phase of the tender is now complete, resulting in UNICEF – as the procuring body – awarding a large portion of the forecasted volume in 2017 as well as a portion of volumes in 2018. The second phase will commence in June, when all manufacturers who took part in the first phase of the tender will be able to re-submit offers. At the end of the second phase of the tender UNICEF and Gavi will have a clear picture on whether the full tender objectives for the first 2 years of supply have been met.