The World Health Organization (WHO) is recommending widespread use of the RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S) malaria vaccine, developed by British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), among children in sub-Saharan Africa and in other regions with moderate to high P. falciparum malaria transmission.

The recommendation is based on results from an ongoing pilot programme in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi that has reached more than 800 000 children since 2019.

GSK is working with partners to develop solutions to ensure equitable and long-term access to the RTS,S vaccine for the people who need it.  GSK has committed to donate up to 10 million RTS,S doses for use in the pilots, and to supply up to 15 million doses annually, following a recommendation and funding for wider use. 

A Product Transfer, including technology transfer for long-term antigen production, is also underway with Bharat Biotech. GSK will now work closely with partners, funders and governments to support additional supply of the vaccine, and has committed to make the 15 million annual doses available at no more than 5% above cost of production.