Travel Vaccines Market Report

Travel vaccines have turned out to be in greater demand as more people travel across the globe, and new health risks pop up, with an enhanced understanding of the importance of vaccines. As international travel has recently picked up after the pandemic, there is an increased demand for travel-specific vaccines. With the increase in traveling, vaccination services need to meet different travel plans and health concerns. One of the key opportunities is the development of new vaccines for new pathogens. Research and innovations are most crucial, especially due to the outbreak of new pathogens and different diseases. Manufacturers who are willingly investing in developing vaccines for diseases like Cholera, Ebola, and new influenza can lead in the market. There is an increase in travel vaccines due to a surge in vector-borne diseases, especially for vaccines to control dengue fever and malaria.

The health concerns have made travelers conscious about their health and would prefer options that can be tailored to what exactly meets their health needs and travel destinations. Healthcare providers can meet the need for individualized services by offering each vaccinated client individually specific vaccination recommendations based on that person's medical history and their travel plans and this may improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. The travel vaccine market also sees a growing portion attributed to digital health solutions. The incorporation of technology, including mobile apps and telehealth platforms, enables travelers to obtain details on necessary vaccinations, monitor their vaccination history, and get alerts for upcoming vaccinations.

This digitization enhances access and simplifies the vaccination procedure, increasing convenience for travelers. There is great potential for growth in the travel vaccine market due to advancements in vaccine development, personalized healthcare options, digital innovation, corporate wellness initiatives, strategic partnerships, and educational programs. The key sectors in this industry consist of viral vaccines, bacterial vaccines, and up-and-coming vaccines for recently discovered pathogens. Taking advantage of these opportunities can help stakeholders in the travel vaccine market improve their services, boost customer involvement, and support global health protection. Thus, these factors create a number of opportunities that support the market expansion of travel vaccines.

Changes in regulations present a major risk to the travel vaccine industry, impacting the need for vaccines and the way healthcare providers operate. Governments often revise their health guidelines and entry criteria, causing uncertainty for both travellers and vaccine producers. For instance, implementing new requirements for certain vaccines like yellow fever or COVID-19 can lead to sudden increases in demand, but if rules change or are eased, the need for vaccinations could decrease. Moreover, varying regulations between nations can make travel arrangements more difficult for people. If travellers are not so sure about the vaccination need, then they may well avoid making travel reservations due to which the global tourists may decrease and subsequently minimize the demand for travel-related vaccinations.

This can prove challenging for healthcare providers themselves to deal with the complications of international regulations, mostly for smaller health services due to the unavailability of resources required to keep pace with changing guidelines. Regulations change also can impact the travel vaccine supply chains which may hamper the market. The approval processes being strict or quality standards changing unexpectedly can cause vaccines to be delayed, resulting in shortages. It is essential to store the vaccine in cold storage to increase its shelf life. Lack of cold storage facilities may affect the quality of the vaccine which further hampers the supply chain. This impacts not just travellers but also impedes health efforts to stop disease outbreaks. Heightened monitoring and adherence to regulations may result in extra expenses for vaccine manufacturers, possibly resulting in elevated costs for consumers.

The risk facing the market for travel vaccines is quite high as vaccine hesitancy erodes, trust in vaccinations decreases the number of travellers getting vaccinated before travel. False information and distortion regarding the vaccine's safety and efficacy have been highly amplified among consumers, especially in these modern days of digital technology increasing distrust among consumers. Some travellers may have questions about whether they need some vaccines or not, especially if they are at low risk of getting travel-related diseases, or when they believe in alternative health remedies instead of vaccinations. This reluctance may eventually decrease the rate of vaccination against diseases even when travelling. It would also weaken one's immunity to the diseases and cause an increased chance of breaking out of diseases.

Travel is now experiencing a boost with the post-COVID-19 landscape and changes in government regulations to travel vaccinations. Yellow fever, typhoid, and hepatitis A and B injections are now a requirement or at least a recommendation and are a must when in endemic areas. New formulations of these vaccines that target emerging variants and boosters are more in demand as most nations still require COVID-19 vaccination to enter.

With new vaccination policies emerging from some countries to the latest epidemiological trends, it is becoming ever more important for tourists to stay up-to-date with any latest entry requirements. In August 2024, Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) launched HILLCHOL (BBV131), a novel single-strain Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV). HILLCHOL was developed by Bharat Biotech under license from Hilleman Laboratories, to combat cholera, which was a significant advancement in global health.

In Jan 2019, Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), launched India’s ‘first’ indigenously developed Hepatitis A vaccine, Havisure.  It was used as a travel vaccine to prevent the Hepatitis A infection among travellers. In July 2024 it was recommended by WHO to take yellow fever vaccination by travellers who are willing to travel certain countries and is recommended for all travellers to areas subjected to endemic and epidemic disease. Before entering some countries, travelling vaccination requires to have an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis showing the traveller has been vaccinated against yellow fever in the last 10 years. Other countries will require proof of yellow fever vaccination should the traveller have passed through an area where yellow fever may be present, if such proof is not provided, then entry is refused.

North America is the largest market for travel vaccines, and the prime reason is the high standard of international outbound trips from the United States and Canada. This region emphasizes health and safety in travel, and there always exists a very rational discussion about the importance of vaccinations. Such policies at the government level regarding mandates and recommendations by entities such as the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States of proper vaccines for travel also promote the uptake of travel vaccines. Moreover, well-developed healthcare infrastructure and a robust pharmaceutical industry are some good facilities available in North America, which assure vaccines for the population. As stated by UN Tourism, around 790 million international tourists have travelled so far in the first seven months of 2024.

The diversified travel destinations and a vast number of international travellers in Europe generate tremendous demand for travel vaccinations. The European Union is developing traveller guidelines and vaccination recommendations based on the destination or travel history and health history. European travellers approach the system vigorously to get pretravel healthcare consultations, which is uplifting the market in Europe.

Owing to increased outbound tourism and business travel, the Asia Pacific region is currently booming in terms of market growth. As economies within the region continue to grow, more people gain the means and desire to travel to foreign destinations. In addition, both the Middle East and Africa contribute to the market. This is driven by both outbound tourism and inbound travellers, as the region hosts a range of cultural, religious, and business events. To visit Mecca for Hajj or Umrah, many people receive vaccinations, which boosts the market growth.

Another reason is that diseases like yellow fever and malaria are prevalent in the area, so vaccination is a must for all travellers. The other emerging market for travel vaccines is in Latin America where outbound travel from this continent has increased as people from Brazil and Mexico travelling to destinations in South America, North America, and Europe for holidays or business visits necessitates these people's vaccination to avoid various infectious diseases.