Core Viewpoint - The flu vaccine is considered the "first line of defense" against influenza, significantly reducing the risk of infection and severe complications, yet its uptake in China remains low, hovering in single digits compared to the more successful flu treatment drug market [1] Group 1: Market Performance - In 2024, the sales figures for flu vaccine companies in A-shares and Hong Kong include: Hualan Vaccine at 1.073 billion yuan, Jindike at 80.827 million yuan, and Zhonghui Biological at 260 million yuan [2] - The total sales for the four major flu vaccine companies, including Baike Biological, are projected to be under 1.6 billion yuan, which is significantly lower than the 2.6 billion yuan sales of the flu treatment drug Oseltamivir by Dongyangguang Pharmaceutical [3] Group 2: Economic Burden and Benefits - The economic burden of influenza for outpatient patients ranges from 801 to 1,320 yuan, while for hospitalized patients, it can be between 9,832 and 23,833 yuan, indicating that flu vaccination can effectively reduce related medical costs and improve economic outcomes [3] Group 3: Challenges in Vaccine Promotion - Public misconceptions about the necessity and effectiveness of the flu vaccine, as well as concerns over side effects, hinder its promotion and uptake [5] - Vaccine hesitancy, recognized as a global health threat, leads to underestimation of the flu's severity and a lack of understanding of vaccine efficacy, impacting vaccination rates [6] - To improve vaccination rates, it is essential to enhance public education, increase accessibility to vaccination services, and develop better funding mechanisms for vaccine costs [6]