Pneumococcal Vaccine Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Clinical and financial benefits from immunization: As people and healthcare organizations become more aware of the importance of defending against disease at an early stage to reduce mortalities, investments in the market increase. As per a report by NLM in December 2024, vaccinating 52.7 million adults aged ≥60 years with an adjuvanted RSVPreF3 vaccine could prevent 244,424 quality-adjusted life year (QALY) losses over five years, demonstrating significant improvements in quality of life. Though the incremental cost of vaccination for society stands at an estimated USD 4.5 billion, these are recompensed in part through savings on healthcare costs resulting from disease, highlighting the effectiveness of immunization programs as a whole.
• Improvements in therapeutic and production efficiency: Besides accessibility, the enhancement of formulation and functionalities has also become a priority for both public and private organizations, promoting innovation in the market. Subsequently, magnifying investments in extensive R&D propels the pipeline in this sector, creating diverse business opportunities. For instance, a report by NLM in March 2025, as of January 2024, global investment for human bacterial vaccine R&D, including pneumococcal vaccines, amounted to USD 4.5 billion, with much of it earmarked for Streptococcus pneumoniae.
• Broadened eligibility and rising awareness in at-risk groups: The market is primarily driven by the expanding at-risk population, particularly adults with chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and smoking-related illnesses. The update in vaccination guidelines has opened the criteria broadly enough for almost every individual to be recommended for vaccination. The magnitude of demand has risen as a consequence of this broad target group and the increasing awareness related to the seriousness of pneumococcal diseases. Further, the government immunization programs and worldwide health initiatives work hard to promote vaccine access and coverage.

Global Export and Import Values of Vaccines for Human Use (2023)

Source: OEC

Challenges

• Limitations in long-term storage and distribution: Spoilage and financial loss due to logistics are becoming significant roadblocks to the rapid expansion of the market. In resource-constrained regions, stocking vaccines is particularly challenging due to inadequate infrastructure in many clinical settings. This level of wastage not only causes budget overruns but also discourages government authorities from procuring vaccines in bulk, increasing the risk of shortages during emergencies. However, the adoption of technology-based transportation to deliver vials and necessary components is helping to mitigate this hurdle.