3 6 Ke·2025-11-11 23:30Core Viewpoint - The global vaccine industry is undergoing a significant adjustment, with major players experiencing a collective decline in vaccine business due to various macro factors, including a growing public skepticism towards vaccines in the U.S. [2][3][7] Group 1: Financial Performance of Major Vaccine Companies - The latest Q3 financial reports from major vaccine companies, including Sanofi, Merck, Pfizer, and GSK, indicate a downturn in vaccine sales, with a projected 19% decline in total sales for the top ten vaccines in 2024 compared to 2023, amounting to $38.4 billion [4][6]. - Sanofi reported a 17% decline in sales of COVID-19 and flu vaccines, with traditional vaccine revenue dropping 8% to €3.36 billion, primarily due to a slowdown in flu vaccine sales [4]. - Merck's sales of its HPV vaccine Gardasil/GARDASIL 9 fell by 24% to $1.75 billion in Q3, with a staggering 40% drop in revenue for the first three quarters of the year [5]. - Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty saw a 20% global sales decline, with a 25% drop in the U.S. market, alongside disappointing performances from its pneumonia and RSV vaccines [5][6]. Group 2: Macro Factors Impacting Vaccine Trust - The decline in vaccine trust in the U.S. is attributed to the actions of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the new Secretary of Health and Human Services, who has promoted anti-vaccine sentiments and policies that undermine public confidence in vaccines [7][8]. - A recent survey indicated that 30% of Americans are skeptical about vaccines, with a significant drop in the belief that childhood vaccines are essential, from 58% in 2019 to 40% in 2024 [8]. - The CDC reported over 1,600 confirmed measles cases in 2025, a stark increase from 285 cases the previous year, highlighting the consequences of declining vaccination rates [9]. Group 3: Historical Context and Future Implications - The current situation in the U.S. vaccine market mirrors Japan's past vaccine industry decline, which was triggered by public trust issues and government policy changes that led to a significant drop in vaccination rates [10][11]. - The ongoing crisis in vaccine trust poses a risk not only to the industry but also to public health, as evidenced by the resurgence of preventable diseases like measles [9][10].