The CDC said today (the 12th) that the agency completed the public‑funded trivalent influenza vaccine procurement for this year (115) on May 7. Considering the growing elderly population and factors such as changes in the pandemic or increased public willingness to be vaccinated, a total of 7,051,500 doses were purchased, including 6,849,360 doses of standard influenza vaccine and 207,900 doses of enhanced‑immunity influenza vaccine, an increase of about 35,000 doses compared with the final procurement volume in 2024. This procurement maintains the same approach as in 2024, still using the most advantageous bid and multiple‑winner method. The selection results were announced on May 12, with the two formulations awarded to 5 and 2 manufacturers respectively. According to the contract, the standard vaccine will be delivered in three batches from late September to mid‑October, while the enhanced‑immunity vaccine will be delivered in a single shipment in late September.
The CDC noted that in January this year, the joint meeting of the Influenza Prevention Group and the Immunization Group of the Infectious Disease Prevention Advisory Committee resolved, in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation, to procure trivalent influenza vaccines. At the same time, to strengthen protection for the elderly, the enhanced‑immunity influenza vaccine was purchased for the first time, with priority given to residents aged 65 and over in long‑term care and nursing facilities. Currently, five domestic manufacturers hold licenses for the standard vaccine and two for the enhanced‑immunity vaccine. To ensure manufacturers’ performance quality and smooth supply, and to protect public health, the most advantageous bid method is again used this year. All five and two manufacturers submitted bids, providing supply plans and quotations for their vaccine products. After convening the procurement evaluation committee, the evaluation considered vaccine efficacy‑price, manufacturers’ performance capability, delivery timeliness and domestic supply stability, additional supply flexibility, and corporate social responsibility. The top five and top two ranked manufacturers for the standard and enhanced‑immunity vaccines respectively were selected as the most advantageous bidders, and the contracts were awarded according to the supply proportion of each rank.
The CDC explained that the confirmed procurement quantity for the standard influenza vaccine is 6,649,360 doses (including 6,448,960 doses needed for the vaccination program target groups and 204,000 doses commissioned by central/local authorities). The winning bidders, in order, are: Guoguang Biotechnology Co., Ltd. – 3,158,450 doses (47.5%); GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Taiwan Branch (authorized Yuli Co., Ltd. to bid and perform) – 1,745,460 doses (26.3%); Sanofi – 755,540 doses (11.3%); Taiwan Toyo Pharmaceutical Industrial Co., Ltd. – 606,900 doses (9.1%); and Advanced Vaccines Biologics Co., Ltd. – 388,010 doses (5.8%). An additional order of 200,000 doses may be placed according to actual demand, with each manufacturer receiving 40,000 doses. The confirmed procurement quantity for the enhanced‑immunity influenza vaccine is 177,900 doses. The winning bidders, in order, are: Taiwan Toyo Pharmaceutical Industrial Co., Ltd. – 1,002,470 doses (60%); Sanofi – 68,320 doses (40%). An additional order of 30,000 doses may be placed according to actual demand, with each manufacturer receiving 15,000 doses.
The CDC said that last year the public‑funded influenza vaccine was the standard type. In response to strong public uptake, the final actual procurement and additional purchases totaled 7,014,910 doses. The supply amounts from the five manufacturers were: Guoguang Biotechnology Co., Ltd. – approximately 3,265,000 doses (46.5%); GlaxoSmithKline Taiwan Branch (authorized Yuli Co., Ltd. to bid and perform) – approximately 1,790,000 doses (25.5%); Taiwan Toyo Pharmaceutical Industrial Co., Ltd. – approximately 918,000 doses (13.1%); Sanofi – 653,000 doses (9.3%); and Advanced Vaccines Biologics Co., Ltd. – approximately 389,000 doses (5.6%).
Source: CDC
Data compiled: Infection Control Section
