Core Insights - The flu activity in southern China is on the rise, with experts predicting an earlier flu season this year compared to previous years [1] - The market for flu vaccines is currently dominated by quadrivalent vaccines, while trivalent vaccines are nearly absent from the self-paid market, leading to a price war among vaccine providers [1][5] Vaccine Availability and Pricing - In Chengdu, several community health centers offer quadrivalent vaccines at a price of 118 yuan per dose, while a specific quadrivalent vaccine from Zhonghui Biological is priced at 349 yuan per dose [2] - The production strategy of vaccine manufacturers has shifted towards quadrivalent vaccines due to higher profit margins, resulting in a significant decrease in the availability of trivalent vaccines in the self-paid market [5][6] Market Dynamics - In 2023, the total number of flu vaccine batches approved for release was 288, with quadrivalent vaccines accounting for 163 batches and trivalent vaccines for 101 batches [7] - The quadrivalent vaccine has become the dominant product in the flu vaccine market, reflecting a trend of increasing consumer preference for vaccines perceived to offer better protection [8] Price Trends - The price of quadrivalent vaccines has dropped significantly, with some prices falling from three-digit to two-digit figures, impacting the profit margins of vaccine manufacturers [10] - For instance, the price of a trivalent vaccine was recorded at 5.5 yuan per dose, marking a new low in the public flu vaccine market [9] Industry Challenges - The flu vaccine market faces challenges such as low vaccination rates and fluctuations in demand, which can lead to "big years" and "small years" in terms of vaccine uptake [11] - The current flu strains circulating, particularly the H3N2 strain, may lead to lower immunity levels in the population, emphasizing the importance of vaccination [12]