Global production capacity of seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines in 2019. Issue 3 (15th January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sparrow, Erin; Wood, James G; Chadwick, Christopher; Newall, Anthony T.; Torvaldsen, Siranda; Moen, Ann; Torelli, Guido
• Is Part Of: Vaccine. Volume 39:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 512
• Page End: 520
• Publication Date: 2021-01-15
• Subjects: Vaccine -- Influenza -- Seasonal -- Pandemic -- Production -- Capacity; CVV candidate vaccine virus -- ERL Essential Regulatory Laboratories -- GAP Global Action Plan for Influenza Vaccines -- GISRS Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System -- HA haemagglutinin -- IIV inactivated influenza vaccine -- LAIV live attenuated influenza vaccine -- LMIC Low- and middle-income countries -- NRA national regulatory authority -- PIP Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework -- QIV quadrivalent influenza vaccine -- SMTA2 Standard Material Transfer Agreements 2 -- TIV trivalent influenza vaccine -- VLP virus-like particle; Vaccines -- Periodicals; 615.372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.12.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-410X

Abstract

Highlights: Annual seasonal vaccine production capacity is estimated at 1.48 billion doses. Best-case annual production for pandemic vaccine is estimated at 8.31 billion doses. Modest growth in pandemic influenza vaccine production capacity since 2015. The majority of production is occurring in High Income Countries. Challenges remain regarding maintenance of capacity and equitable distribution. Abstract: Vaccines will be an important element in mitigating the impact of an influenza pandemic. While research towards developing universal influenza vaccines is ongoing, the current strategy for vaccine supply in a pandemic relies on seasonal influenza vaccine production to be switched over to pandemic vaccines. Understanding how much vaccine could be produced, in which regions of the world and in what timeframe is critical to informing influenza pandemic preparedness. Through the Global Action Plan for Influenza Vaccines, 2006–2016, WHO promoted an increase in vaccine production capacity and monitors the landscape through periodically surveying influenza vaccine manufacturers. This study compares global capacity for production of influenza vaccines in 2019 with estimates from previous surveys; provides an overview of countries with established production facilities; presents vaccine production by type and manufacturing process; and discusses limitations to these estimates. Results of the current survey show that estimated annual seasonal influenza vaccine production capacity changed little since 2015 increasing from 1.47 billion to 1.48 billion doses with potential maximum annual influenza pandemic vaccine production capacity increasing from 6.37 billion to 8.31 billion doses. However, this figure should be interpreted with caution as it presents a best-case scenario with several assumptions which may impact supply. Further, pandemic vaccines would not be immediately available and could take four to six months for first supplies with several more months needed to reach maximum capacity. A moderate-case scenario is also presented of 4.15 billion doses of pandemic vaccine in 12 months. It is important to note that two doses of pandemic vaccine are likely to be required to elicit an adequate immune response. Continued efforts are needed to ensure the sustainability of this production and to conduct research for vaccines that are faster to produce and more broadly protective taking into account lessons learned from COVID-19 vaccine development.