RSV Vaccine Demand Drops Sharply in the US, Impacting GSK's Sales

Industry Overview - Recent data indicates a significant drop in the sales of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine in the United States, with independent pharmacists reporting a two-thirds decline in RSV vaccine uptake compared to the previous year [1][3] - RSV poses a severe health risk to infants, older adults, and individuals with compromised immune systems, leading to numerous hospitalizations and deaths annually [2] Company Performance - GSK's sales for Arexvy, the first RSV vaccine approved in May of last year, might fall short of Wall Street's expectations for Q3, with a spokesperson remaining optimistic about the vaccine's growth potential [4] - In 2023, GSK achieved $1.564 billion in RSV vaccine sales, while Pfizer recorded $890 million, half of GSK's figures [5] - Market predictions suggest a slight decrease in GSK's sales to approximately $1.5 billion this year, whereas Pfizer's sales are expected to rise nearly 40% to $1.2 billion [5] Regulatory Impact - The decline in RSV vaccine demand is attributed to a CDC decision in June that narrowed its recommendations for older adults, refraining from advising those under 60 to receive the vaccine [3]