BURLINGTON, Mass., Nov. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources Group finds that 55 percent of surveyed physicians reported increased vaccination rates in the past twelve months across five profiled indications (pneumococcal disease, meningococcal disease, human papilloma virus [HPV], herpes zoster [HZ], and influenza). Understanding how factors such as efficacy, safety, and cost are influencing physician brand preference for these indications will be key for capturing market share in this growing market. In addition, there were notable differences between how primary care physicians (PCPs) and infectious disease (ID) specialists ranked factors influencing their vaccine prescribing, highlighting that a nuanced approach in raising physician awareness is needed to optimize brand uptake.
Other key findings from special report entitled "Commercial Opportunities in Vaccines":
- Following implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), 67 percent of surveyed PCPs and 43 percent of ID specialists reported increased administration of vaccines, suggesting that preventive care provisions in the ACA are driving uptake. It will be key for a new vaccine to be included in the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations to secure coverage under ACA provisions. In addition, prescribing of a vaccine by physicians is strongly informed by ACIP's recommendations, further highlighting the importance of the advisory body's guidance.
- Approximately one quarter of HPV vaccine recipients do not complete the full immunization course, according to survey findings. One third of physicians indicated the high number of doses for the patient to remember as the primary reason for noncompliance, while 24 percent cite a perception that course completion is not important. Development of a vaccine with fewer doses could be an important competitive advantage in the HPV market, currently dominated by Merck's Gardasil/Gardasil 9.
- The uptake of meningococcus B vaccines remains relatively slow, with GlaxoSmithKline's Bexsero being administered to more patients than Pfizer's Trumenba, especially by surveyed ID specialists. The lack of recommendation from ACIP to vaccinate all patients aged 10 to 25, the indicated age groups, likely constrained uptake of these brands.
Comments from Decision Resources Business Insights Analyst Michael Breen, Ph.D.:
- "Surveyed physicians indicated that efficacy, safety, and coverage by commercial payers are the most important drivers of vaccine brand selection or preference. Interestingly, no single factor stands out as notably more important to physicians than others. For an emerging vaccine to successfully compete with an established product, it will not only need to offer improvement in efficacy, but the price will need to be carefully considered in this cost-sensitive market."
- "While vaccines are generally regarded as safe, media coverage of potential complications from vaccination, however unsubstantiated, can adversely affect patient willingness to be immunized. Physicians reported that the most frequently expressed concerns or misconceptions by patients are regarding side effects. Campaigns to address such concerns could drive vaccine use in patients who may be hesitant to receive a vaccine due to erroneous perceptions, fueled by ongoing media chatter."
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About Decision Resources Group
Decision Resources Group offers best-in-class, high-value data, analytics and insights products and services to the healthcare industry, delivered by more than 900 employees across 14 global locations. DRG provides the pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, financial services and payer industries with the tools, insights and advice they need to compete and thrive in an increasingly complex and value-based marketplace. DecisionResourcesGroup.com.
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