Report: Weaker Flu Vaccine May Hurt Next Year's Market

NEW YORK, Dec. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Kalorama Information says the recent announcement by the CDC that this year's flu vaccine is a relatively poor match to present flu strains could put next year's sales in jeopardy.  The healthcare market research firm said that vaccine sales rely on customers feeling protected.  According to Kalorama Information's new report, Vaccines 2014: World Market Analysis, Key Players, Trends, Pediatric and Adult Segments, influenza vaccines generated $3.1 billion in revenues in 2013, up from 2.8 billion in 2012.

Kalorama's study of the vaccine market is available at http://www.kaloramainformation.com/Vaccines-Key-Players-8120410/.

The CDC said 91 percent of the approximately 1,200 samples tested thus far are of the H3N2 subtype of influenza A and about half of the H3 subtypes are variants that this season's flu vaccine does not protect well against. The agency recommended that doctors treat patients with flu symptoms rather than waiting for test results. 

Kalorama says that there have been other weak vaccine years, and there is not an exact link between a vaccine's effectiveness and the orders which will take place mid next year, there can be an effect.

"We think this could hurt 2015 vaccine sales, although we can't tell for sure until the numbers are in," said Bruce Carlson, Publisher of Kalorama Information. "There are lots of variables - degree of flu severity this season, the extent to which the vaccine doesn't work, how well that is or isn't communicated through the healthcare community & public, and level of pre ordering."

The CDC still recommends that all Americans get flu shots because they are as protective as usual against the older H3 strain, influenza B and the small numbers of H1. And they may provide at least a weak defense against the newer H3.

"The reality is the vaccine is still improving percentages of those who are vaccinating by removing some of the threats," Carlson said. "How well that message gets out there and to what degree flu shots are engrained in the culture at the point will determine if the vaccine product can hold up in the face of a weak vaccine. If the message is perceived as 'don't get the shot this year' and retailers stockpile, next year's orders could be in trouble."

Kalorama's report covers other categories of vaccines and makes forecasts about the future. Kalorama Information's new report, Vaccines 2014: World Market Analysis, Key Players, Trends, Pediatric and Adult Segments (Influenza, Cervical Cancer, Combinations, Hepatitis, Pneumococcal, MMR, Varicella, Poliovirus , HIB, Others), can be found at: http://www.kaloramainformation.com/Vaccines-Key-Players-8120410/.  

About Kalorama Information -- Kalorama Information, a division of MarketResearch.com, supplies the latest in independent medical market research in diagnostics, biotech, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and healthcare; as well as a full range of custom research services. We routinely assist the media with healthcare topics. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and our blog.

Contact:
Bruce Carlson
(212) 807-2622
bcarlson@kaloramainformation.com 
www.KaloramaInformation.com

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SOURCE Kalorama Information