Aug 28, 2024 04:48 AM
BUSINESS
Sanofi Halts Flu Shots in China Amid Concerns of Declining Potency
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Sanofi in 1996 introduced Vaxigrip, a trivalent split-virion, inactivated vaccine, to the Chinese market
French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi has temporarily halted the supply and sale of its two flu vaccines in the Chinese market over concerns about its declining potency.
The company confirmed the suspension with Caixin Tuesday, calling it a “preventive measure.” It affects the distribution of two split-virion flu shot brands, Vaxigrip and VaxigripTetra, during this year’s influenza season, according to Paris-based Sanofi.
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- Sanofi has temporarily halted the supply and sale of its Vaxigrip and VaxigripTetra flu vaccines in China due to declining potency observed in routine quality tests.
- Vaccination sites, such as those in Shanghai, have ceased administering the vaccines following a notice from the Chinese Center for Disease Control (CDC).
- Sanofi emphasized that distributed doses meet safety standards, and the suspension is temporary as they investigate the issue.
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Who’s Who
- Sanofi
- Sanofi is a French pharmaceutical giant that has temporarily halted the supply and sale of its flu vaccines Vaxigrip and VaxigripTetra in China due to concerns over declining potency. The vaccines are produced domestically by Shenzhen Sanofi Pasteur Biological Products Co. Ltd. Despite the suspension, distributed doses meet safety standards. Sanofi has invested significantly in China, with a prominent vaccine factory in Shenzhen. Contact Han Wei for more information.
- Shenzhen Sanofi Pasteur Biological Products Co. Ltd.
- Shenzhen Sanofi Pasteur Biological Products Co. Ltd. is the domestic producer and supplier of Sanofi’s flu vaccines in China. Established in 1996 as the first multinational vaccine company in China, it has since received an investment of 1.2 billion yuan ($168 million) from Sanofi to build the country’s only foreign-invested vaccine factory in Shenzhen.
- Sinovac Biotech Ltd.
- The article mentions Sinovac Biotech Ltd. as one of the 13 manufacturers listed by the China CDC for flu vaccine supply for the 2023-2024 season. However, no further details are provided about the company's role or impact following Sanofi's suspension of its flu vaccines in China.
- Zhongyianke Biotech Co. Ltd.
- Zhongyianke Biotech Co. Ltd. is one of the flu vaccine suppliers listed by the China CDC for the 2023-2024 flu season. It is among the manufacturers providing alternatives to Sanofi's flu vaccines in the Chinese market amid Sanofi's temporary suspension due to concerns about the potency of its products.
- Hualan Biological Vaccine Inc.
- Hualan Biological Vaccine Inc. is China's largest flu shot manufacturer. Following the news of Sanofi's suspension of its flu vaccines, Hualan's shares surged to their 20% daily trading limit early Tuesday morning.
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What Happened When
- 2023：
- VaxigripTetra, Sanofi's quadrivalent split-virion influenza vaccine, was approved by Chinese regulators.
- 2024-08-27：
- Shanghai vaccination sites received a CDC notice to stop using Sanofi flu vaccines.
- 2024-08-27：
- Shares of Chinese flu vaccine makers, including Hualan Biological Vaccine, soared after the news broke.
- 2024-08-28：
- Sanofi flu vaccine administration was suspended nationwide in China.
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