2nd Global meeting on implementing new and under-utilized vaccines, 23-25 June 2008
Healthy vaccine market
The UNICEF definition of a healthy market is one in which there is “an uninterrupted, sustainable supply of affordable vaccines of assured quality". Components of a healthy market are: multiple suppliers for each vaccine; manufacturers in both developing and industrialized countries; availability of goods at prices that are both affordable to governments and donors and reasonably cover manufacturers’ minimum requirements; and accurate and long-term forecasts for demand and supply. These conditions are yet to be fully met in the vaccine market, particularly for the newer vaccines.
Participants agreed that markets for new and underutilized vaccines are complex with considerable unpredictability of both supply and demand. An environment of trust is needed with realistic expectations from manufacturers, procurement agencies and countries. The effect on the entire market needs to be taken into account when considering potential solutions. The possibility of mapping the current status and potential future market per antigen was considered.