Seasonal flu: One in two Sanofi vaccines is manufactured at the Sanofi site in Val-de-Reuil, in Eure

It is the largest seasonal flu vaccine production unit in Europe. In Val-de-Reuil, in 2023, Sanofi Pasteur has invested 250 million euros to increase its production and packaging capacities. The site has also been running at full capacity for several weeks, in anticipation of the opening of the vaccination campaign, this Tuesday, October 15. 7.000 palettes are still waiting in the huge cold room, to be delivered to the tens of thousands of pharmacies in France who have placed orders, and in 140 countries around the world. But according to Hélène Bricout, head of medical affairs for adult vaccines at Sanofi, “99% of orders have already been delivered or will be delivered this Tuesday morning”. VaxiGrip Tetra, the name of the pharmaceutical group’s vaccine, is one of two vaccines for adults available this year in France. Its manufacturing is 100% French, even 100% Euroise, and it began in February, like every year for the northern hemisphere. “We are developing the vaccine based on strains selected by the World Health Organization, which we will then put in syringes for doctors and package” explains Henri Lanfry, the site director. On the 250 million doses produced by the Sanofi group this year, 60% are leaving the Rolival unit.

A 100% French and even 100% Eurois vaccine

A vaccine intended for the most vulnerable: those over 65, the chronically ill, pregnant women, children aged 2 and over. But vaccination coverage continues to decline, regrets Hélène Bricout. “Last year, it was only 54% while in France, we have on average an epidemic 17,000 hospitalizations and 9,000 deaths and 90% of these deaths occur among those over 65 years old.. 15 years ago, vaccination coverage against seasonal flu exceeded 65% among older people. For those over 65, Sanofi has also developed a vaccine 4 times higher in dose, Efluelda, put on the market during previous campaigns but which will not be available this year. The French health authorities, considering that the studies carried out have not demonstrated its greater effectiveness compared to other vaccines, have set a price too low “which does not cover production costs”indicates the pharmaceutical group.