How cost-effective is the new R21 vaccine compared to existing malaria interventions?

This detailed analysis by Karam Elabd and Ryan Duncombe, PhD, evaluates the cost-effectiveness of the new R21 malaria vaccine in comparison to other existing interventions such as insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs), seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC), and mosquito control. They crunched the data into 2024 US dollars and found that the R21 vaccine is just about as cost-effective as those trusty bed nets.

1. Cost-Effectiveness Comparison:

• The R21 vaccine has a cost per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted of $39.
• Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) have a cost per DALY averted of $38.

2. Delivering a Year of Healthy Life for Less Than $50:

• Both the R21 vaccine and ITNs deliver a year of healthy life for less than $50, as their cost per DALY averted (less than $40) falls well within this range.