The coronavirus disease is caused due to the contagious virus being spread between two individuals within 1 meter. An individual can be infected with aerosol droplets which contain the virus. The incidence of all forms of allergies has been universally on the rise. The combination vaccines are used to reduce the onset of infections, such as diphtheria, polio, and tetanus.
The vaccine combinations of the COVID-19, would be effective. Mixing and matching” refer to giving a booster dose of a vaccine different from the vaccine type used for the initial vaccination series. Vaccinating people with both the Oxford–AstraZeneca, Glaxo Smith Kline plc-Sanofi and Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines would produce a potent immune response against the virus SARS-CoV-2. Combining two different COVID-19 vaccines protects par with mRNA vaccines — including protection against the Delta variant. Using each of the available COVID-19 vaccines as a heterologous (or “mix and match”) would ensure eligible individuals follow the completion of primary vaccination with a different available COVID-19 vaccine. Recent studies have suggested that a mix-and-match approach to vaccine dosing could induce a better immune response. There would be a positive impact on the market.
Impact on Price
The manufacturers developing vaccine combinations are trying to reduce the cost. The price of the material used and the developments incurred in the vaccine combination and services would increase the number of manufacturing units and more workforce and human resources required to develop vaccine combinations. The sales and cost of vaccine combination medication increased the same during the COVID-19 pandemic after the onset of the second quarter.
For instance,
- In 2019, the cost of the Quadracel vaccine combination was USD 53.13. In 2020, the cost of the Quadracel vaccine combination was USD 54.63. The price difference was USD 1.5.
Impact On Demand
The crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the demand for the use of combination vaccines. With the rise in the pediatric populace, the vaccine combination's demand would increase and reduce the number of visits to specialty clinics, hospitals, and healthcare centers. The evolving COVID-19 pandemic has caused the manufacturers to collaborate with manufacturers for vaccine combinations to cure chronic infectious diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella. There has been an increase in demand for live attenuated vaccines. The impact of COVID-19 would increase the mandated use of the vaccine combinations.
For instance:
- In September 2020, there was an increase in demand for INFANRIX hexa, a combination vaccine, by GlaxoSmithKline plc. The INFANRIX hexa, can be used for the booster dose provided that the infant has received a full primary vaccination course of each of the antigens contained in INFANRIX hexa.
- In October 2020, the Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp, along with Sanofi had introduced the combination pediatric vaccines, at IDWeek 2020, in New Jersey. The vaccine combination would be able to meet the sustainable supply in the U.S.
Within the pharmaceutical and the healthcare domain, there has been increased concern regarding the level of infections. As the COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating fast, it has raised pressure for the combination vaccine manufacturers in developing countries. Hence, if the demand increases, the price also increases. Hence the demand for combination vaccines would increase during the pandemic.
Impact on Supply Chain
The COVID-19 scenario has disrupted the entire supply chain and logistics department. The speed, resilience, and reliability describe the workforce of a company’s supply chain management system. In the face of the current coronavirus outbreak, the slow working of the supply chain has caused acute shortages for instruments of gas distribution and diffusion capacity. The supply chains have slowly resumed following the restrictions in emerging countries in the European, and Asia-Pacific region. Fresh outbreaks of the virus can impede or even temporarily halt the individual production facilities and supply chains. Hence, the impact on the supply chain will be less. However, as the supply chain operations continue to improve, the COVID-19 recommendations continue to evolve.
The supply chain management would be useful for the successful placement of the combination vaccines during the pandemic.
For instance,
- The GlaxoSmithKline plc. is taking important actions in its supply chain to deliver more combination vaccines that are in high demand, due to COVID-19
The government has been monitoring the supply chain operation facilities to minimize the crisis of the supply chain. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown multiple ways to enhance supply chain units and operation facilities, which is likely to have positive growth in the market.
STRATEGIC DECISIONS BY MANUFACTURERS
The strategic approach presented by the manufacturers for the introduction of service can positively impact the market's growth. The major players are also trying to devise specific strategies, such as product launch, expansions, and partnerships, to ensure the smooth running of the business, avoid risks, and increase the long-term growth in the sales of the market. For instance,
- In May 2021, GlaxoSmithKline plc collaborated with Medicago on an adjuvanted, plant-derived vaccine candidate. The adjuvanted, plant-derived vaccine uses Coronavirus-Like-Particle (CoVLP) technology with the vaccine composed of recombinant spike (S) glycoprotein expressed as virus-like-particles (VLPs) co-administered with GSK’s pandemic adjuvant. The vaccine candidate is undergoing phase 3 clinical trials. The collaboration would ensure the delivery of an important new COVID-19 vaccine and contribute to the global fight against the pandemic.
- In June 2021, the combination vaccine of the Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp and Sanofi, VAXELIS (Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis, Inactivated Poliovirus, Haemophilus b Conjugate, and Hepatitis B Vaccine), has been made available in the U.S.. VAXELIS is the first and only hexavalent (six-in-one) combination vaccine available in the U.S. indicated for active immunization to help prevent diphtheria, tetanus. The vaccine is available in the U.S. would help rise in delivery of the VAXELIS to the patients in the U.S. and increase the sale, revenue, and market growth in the U.S.
Conclusion
The impact of the novel COVID-19 virus is expected to leave a long-term effect on each industrial sector. The outbreak of COVID 19 prompted citizens to deal with confusion regarding the virus and its management. The virus poses a risk to human life and has caused economic distress and severe emotional strain. It produced a wave effect that gave rise to a new collection of requirements and needs that were not needed earlier.
The growing prevalence of contagious infections and COVID-19 has necessitated a stable healthcare network and adequate emergency medical services (EMS). However, the regulatory framework and the disruption in supply chain management can hamper market growth.
Various countries are using the approach of mixing vaccine doses from different manufacturers. However, the manufacturers should be aware of the safety and efficacy of the vaccine preparation.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a coordinated, international, and intergovernmental plan has been made to develop and deploy new combination vaccines to prevent future epidemics. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has identified the most important known global infectious threats and invested in developing vaccines, such as stockpiling.
There has been awareness about the rise of measles, diphtheria in North America and Asia-Pacific, with the attention of COVID-19 being brought to public health. The market for vaccine combinations would bring a positive impact in the coming future. This forecast is attributable to the prevalence of pulmonary diseases, rise in neonates’ population, and rise in product launch. Additionally, there has been an increase in requirements for live attenuated vaccines in many manufacturing applications.
In the pandemic, attenuated microbes retain the ability to replicate in vivo, giving rise to a limited disease; they effectively stimulate the immune system and induce a strong and persistent immune memory that is efficacious in preventing infection. Hundreds of millions of people have been protected from disabling and fatal diseases by using attenuated vaccines.
