The peak of the flu epidemic is expected in the coming days. There is still time to get vaccinated, reminds the Ministry of Health, which ensures that there are enough doses until the end of January. Three vaccines are currently available, but not the last one from Sanofi, which could have avoided many hospitalizations.
Efluelda is the name of the HD (high dose) flu vaccine for those over 65. Manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur since 2021, this improved vaccine is considered more effective than traditional vaccines. Several experts including the Academy of Medicine and pharmacists' unions have spoken out in its favor. It is recommended as first-line treatment in many countries. However, no trace of this vaccine in France.
Withdrawal from the French market
Efluelda had however been used during the two previous vaccination campaigns, but Sanofi withdrew it from the French market last year. The High Health Authority was in fact not convinced. She considered that this vaccine did not provide any improvement in actual benefit compared to other available vaccines. She offered to lower her selling price.
In pharmacies, Efluelda is sold for 30.90 euros (price excluding dispensing fees), compared to 11.75 euros for standard dose quadrivalent vaccines (VaxigripTetra, InfluvacTetra, etc.). And lower its price, Sanofi said no.
In a press release, the laboratory specified that “the authorities have decided to set a new unsustainable price for Sanofi with regard to production and distribution costs, despite a major investment already made by Sanofi to localize part of of the production of Efluelda”.
-250 million euros were in fact invested at its Val-de-Reuil site in Normandy, to build the largest production unit in Europe for influenza vaccines, particularly Efluelda.
Hope for next winter
A new file has been submitted to the health authorities, with a slightly different vaccine, in its trivalent version (while the previous version was quadrivalent). The French laboratory has also added new studies on its effectiveness.
A first step was taken in December with marketing authorization from the national medicines safety agency. Once again there remains the problem of price. Sanofi is impatiently and even urgently awaiting the response. Because it is already a question of preparing for next winter's vaccination campaign. Vaccines are manufactured in February and March and then delivered to pharmacists in the fall.
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