India Influenza Vaccine Market By Type (Inactivated, Live Attenuated), By Indication (Quadrivalent, Trivalent), By Age Group (Pediatric, Adult), By Route of Administration (Injection, Nasal Spray), By Distribution Channel (Hospitals & Pharmacies, Government & Institutional Supply, Other) By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

India Influenza Vaccine Market was valued at USD 26.76 Million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 41.28 Million by 2030 with a CAGR of 7.45% during the forecast period.

The India influenza vaccine market is witnessing steady growth, driven by rising awareness of seasonal flu outbreaks, increasing healthcare investments, and strong government immunization initiatives. With densely populated urban centres and a growing middle class willing to spend on preventive healthcare, vaccine adoption is gaining momentum. Maharashtra, a key region in Western India, leads due to its advanced healthcare infrastructure and the presence of major vaccine manufacturers like the Serum Institute of India. Additionally, technological advancements, including needle-free nasal vaccines, are enhancing accessibility and acceptance.

However, challenges persist, including low public awareness in rural areas, vaccine hesitancy, and gaps in distribution networks that hinder widespread immunization. Furthermore, pricing pressures and competition from local and international vaccine manufacturers pose hurdles for market expansion. Despite these challenges, government-led vaccination campaigns and the growing involvement of private healthcare providers are expected to drive future market growth, positioning India as a significant player in the global influenza vaccine landscape.

Key Market Drivers

Increasing Prevalence of Influenza And Respiratory Disorders

The increasing prevalence of influenza and respiratory disorders is a significant driver for the growth of the India influenza vaccine market. India faces a growing burden of respiratory illnesses, with conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and influenza contributing to a high disease burden. According to the Ministry of Health, Government of India, the country has an estimated 28 million people suffering from asthma and 17 million from COPD, both of which increase susceptibility to severe complications from influenza. The overlapping symptoms and seasonal surges of influenza often exacerbate these chronic conditions, making vaccination a critical preventive measure.

The seasonal outbreaks of influenza, particularly subtypes like H3N2 and H1N1 (swine flu), further highlight the urgent need for widespread vaccination. According to the latest data available on IDSP-IHIP (Integrated Health Information Platform), a total of 3,038 laboratory-confirmed cases of various subtypes of influenza, including H3N2, were reported across India until March 9, 2023. This indicates that the virus remains an ongoing public health concern, especially during peak flu seasons. Moreover, in 2024, India recorded over 9,000 H1N1 cases, resulting in 178 deaths by the end of July, demonstrating the severity of influenza outbreaks and their fatal consequences.

The impact of influenza and respiratory diseases extends beyond morbidity, contributing to a high mortality rate in India. Available data indicate that India has the highest rate of lung disease deaths globally, with lung diseases accounting for 11% of total deaths in the country. The poor air quality in major cities, combined with lifestyle factors and a lack of preventive healthcare in rural areas, further exacerbates the situation. Influenza infections often lead to severe respiratory distress, pneumonia, and hospitalization, particularly among vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing conditions.

Given these alarming statistics, influenza vaccination is increasingly recognized as a crucial public health intervention. Government-led initiatives, along with growing awareness among healthcare providers, are expected to drive vaccine adoption, reducing hospitalizations and fatalities associated with influenza and respiratory illnesses in India.

Advancements in Vaccine Development and Availability

Advancements in vaccine development and availability have significantly bolstered India's influenza vaccination efforts, addressing the country's substantial burden of respiratory illnesses. Historically, influenza vaccination in India faced challenges due to limited vaccine options and accessibility. However, recent developments have transformed this landscape, enhancing both the efficacy and reach of influenza vaccines.

One notable advancement is the development of next-generation vaccines targeting influenza B virus strains. These vaccines aim to provide broader protection against diverse influenza B lineages, which are prevalent in seasonal outbreaks. Researchers have been focusing on creating vaccines that elicit a more robust and long-lasting immune response, potentially reducing the frequency of annual vaccinations. This approach not only improves individual protection but also contributes to better public health outcomes by decreasing the overall incidence of influenza B infections. 

In terms of vaccine availability, India has seen a significant expansion in its immunization infrastructure. The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been actively monitoring and reporting influenza cases, providing valuable data that informs vaccine distribution strategies. For instance, as of May 31, 2024, detailed reports on seasonal influenza A (H1N1) cases and deaths have been compiled, enabling health authorities to identify high-risk areas and allocate vaccines accordingly. 

Furthermore, the World Health Organization's Immunization Data portal indicates that India has been progressively updating its influenza vaccination policies, aligning them with global standards to ensure the availability of effective vaccines. This alignment facilitates the introduction of new vaccines into the national immunization program, thereby improving public access to the latest preventive measures against influenza. 

These advancements are crucial in the context of India's high burden of respiratory diseases. With lung diseases accounting for approximately 11% of total deaths in the country, enhancing vaccine development and availability directly addresses a critical public health concern. By improving the efficacy and accessibility of influenza vaccines, India is better equipped to reduce the incidence of severe respiratory infections, thereby decreasing morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

Vaccine Hesitancy and Low Awareness

One of the biggest challenges in the India influenza vaccine market is vaccine hesitancy and low awareness, which persists among the general public as well as healthcare professionals. Studies show that only about 1.5% of Indian adults have ever received the influenza vaccine in their lifetime, with vaccination rates among healthcare workers ranging from 8% to 34%. Misconceptions about influenza as a mere common cold reduce the perceived need for vaccination, especially among healthy adults who do not consider themselves at risk. Additionally, cultural reliance on home remedies and traditional medicines often discourages uptake of preventive vaccines.

Concerns about vaccine safety, side effects, and doubts over efficacy are widespread, fueled by misinformation spread via social media and word-of-mouth. Unlike other routine vaccines, influenza vaccines require annual administration due to virus mutations, which some perceive as inconvenient. The cost remains a barrier, with doses priced between ₹1,500 and ₹2,500, plus administration fees, limiting accessibility.

Healthcare professionals’ low recommendation rates are critical obstacles; only 4.4% of healthcare workers reported receiving the influenza vaccine 1-3 times in the past five years, and many doctors only recommend flu shots for high-risk groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic diseases. About 82.8% of pulmonologists offer vaccines, yet only 32.7% vaccinate 10-25% of patients monthly, signalling a gap in proactivity. Physician endorsement greatly influences patient willingness to vaccinate, highlighting the importance of improving provider education and patient communication.

Government and medical bodies emphasize influenza vaccination for at-risk populations citing reductions in pneumonia, hospitalizations, and deaths. However, India has yet to integrate influenza vaccination into its Universal Immunization Program, further dampening widespread acceptance. The WHO recommends the use of both Northern and Southern Hemisphere vaccines year-round in India due to continuous virus circulation.

Improving influenza vaccination rates in India requires comprehensive strategies, including awareness campaigns, combating misinformation, greater advocacy from healthcare providers, policy support for vaccine accessibility, and integration into national immunization schedules, particularly for high-risk groups. Digital platforms and community engagement can enhance education and drive acceptance to protect against severe flu complications.

Key Market Trends

Technological Advancements in Vaccine Development

The India influenza vaccine market is experiencing a major shift due to technological advancements, enhancing efficacy, safety, and accessibility. Cell-based and recombinant influenza vaccines are key innovations replacing traditional egg-based vaccines. Cell-based vaccines reduce production time and improve effectiveness by avoiding egg-adapted mutations, while recombinant DNA vaccines allow faster manufacturing without live viruses, enabling rapid responses to emerging flu strains.

The adoption of quadrivalent influenza vaccines (QIVs), which protect against two influenza A strains (H1N1 & H3N2) and two influenza B strains (Victoria & Yamagata), is growing in India. These vaccines provide broader protection compared to trivalent vaccines and are recommended for all individuals over 6 months of age as annual shots. The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) aligns with WHO guidelines on vaccine strain selection to enhance protection in India's diverse climate.

mRNA-based influenza vaccines, leveraging platforms popularized by COVID-19 vaccines, are under advanced development and clinical trials in India, offering potential advantages such as quicker adaptation to viral mutations, greater immunogenicity, and longer-lasting immunity. These could simplify vaccination regimes by combining protection against both influenza and COVID-19 in a single shot, improving uptake and preparedness for seasonal outbreaks.

Additionally, needle-free vaccine options like nasal spray live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIVs) have been introduced in India, such as NASOVAC-S4 developed by Serum Institute of India. These vaccines offer painless administration, enhance accessibility—especially for children and individuals with needle phobia—and stimulate mucosal immunity.

India's emergence as a global vaccine manufacturing hub supports these technological advancements, boosting domestic vaccine production capacity and improving public confidence in influenza immunization. As these vaccines become more widely available, they are expected to expand coverage and reduce the seasonal influenza burden across India.

Segmental Insights

Indication Insights

Based on Indication, Quadrivalent have emerged as the dominating segment in the India Influenza Vaccine Market in 2024, driven by their superior protection against multiple virus strains and increasing adoption among healthcare providers. Unlike Trivalent Influenza Vaccines (TIVs), which protect against two A strains and one B strain, QIVs cover an additional B strain, offering broader immunity against influenza viruses circulating in India. The World Health Organization (WHO) and leading health bodies have been actively recommending quadrivalent vaccines due to their enhanced efficacy in combating seasonal flu outbreaks. This shift is further fueled by the increasing prevalence of respiratory illnesses, rising awareness about flu prevention, and the preference for advanced vaccine formulations.

With major vaccine manufacturers like Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech, and Sanofi focusing on quadrivalent vaccine production, availability has significantly improved, making them more accessible across the country. Healthcare professionals, particularly those treating elderly individuals, children, pregnant women, and people with chronic conditions like asthma and COPD, prefer QIVs due to their comprehensive protection and reduced risk of infection from varying influenza B strains. Private hospitals, corporate vaccination programs, and international market trends are influencing India's transition toward quadrivalent vaccines, gradually replacing trivalent formulations. As awareness continues to grow and India aligns with global influenza vaccination strategies, QIVs are set to maintain their dominance in the Indian market, ensuring wider immunity and better preparedness against influenza outbreaks.

Route of Administration Insights

Based on Route of Administration, Injection have emerged as the dominating segment in the India Influenza Vaccine Market in 2024. Their dominance is primarily driven by high efficacy, widespread availability, and strong acceptance among healthcare professionals. Injectable vaccines are preferred due to their proven immunogenicity, ensuring robust protection against seasonal influenza strains. Moreover, government vaccination programs, corporate immunization drives, and private healthcare providers largely rely on injection-based vaccines, reinforcing their widespread use.

The established cold chain infrastructure in India further supports the dominance of injectable influenza vaccines, ensuring seamless distribution across urban and rural areas. With increasing government initiatives and growing awareness about annual flu vaccination, more individuals, particularly high-risk groups like infants, elderly individuals, and those with chronic respiratory conditions, are opting for injectable vaccines. Major vaccine manufacturers such as Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech, and Sanofi continue to invest in the production and advancement of injection-based flu vaccines, further strengthening their market position.

Despite the presence of alternative administration routes, injection-based influenza vaccines remain the preferred choice due to their broader application, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with international immunization guidelines. As influenza cases rise and vaccination awareness increases, the demand for injection-based vaccines is expected to grow further, ensuring their continued market leadership in India.

Download Free Sample Report

Regional Insights

Based on Region, West India has emerged as the dominant region in the India influenza vaccine market in 2024, driven by high healthcare awareness, robust vaccination infrastructure, and rising prevalence of respiratory illnesses. States like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan have notably surged in influenza vaccination rates due to government immunization drives, private healthcare facilities, and growing corporate wellness programs.

Maharashtra, with major metropolitan hubs such as Mumbai and Pune, benefits from a high concentration of healthcare institutions, ensuring wide accessibility to influenza vaccines. The state reported a 70% increase in H1N1 cases in 2024, heightening the urgency for vaccination efforts supported by enhanced hospital resources and public awareness campaigns. Ahmedabad in Gujarat, with strong pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution networks, also spearheads regional vaccine uptake, supplemented by convenient home vaccination services and corporate programs catering to the city's business community.

Urban populations in these states, especially those in tier-1 and tier-2 cities, demonstrate increasing influenza vaccination acceptance, bolstered by effective education and employer-driven inoculation initiatives. The presence of advanced healthcare infrastructure and strong vaccine distribution channels across West India solidifies its leading role in India’s overall influenza vaccination coverage for 2024.

Recent Development

• In September 2025, Zydus Lifesciences launched VaxiFlu, India’s first trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV). The vaccine contains the latest updated strains recommended annually by the World Health Organization (WHO), making it the first of its kind in the country to align with global guidelines for influenza prevention.
• In July 2025, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Kochi organized a vaccination campaign for doctors and their families to raise awareness about the importance of immunization amid rising cases of communicable diseases. The initiative aimed to dispel misconceptions regarding vaccine safety and highlight their role in improving quality of life. The campaign offered vaccines against shingles, influenza, pneumococcal disease, hepatitis A, and human papillomavirus (HPV) for individuals aged 9 to 26 years.
• In February 2025, Zydus Lifesciences introduced VaxiFlu-4, India’s first quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV), designed to protect against four influenza virus strains in line with WHO recommendations. Developed at the company’s Vaccine Technology Centre in Ahmedabad and approved by the Central Drug Laboratory (CDL), the vaccine addresses significant public health concerns by helping to prevent seasonal influenza outbreaks.
• In July 2024, a new project has been launched to accelerate the development and accessibility of H5N1 avian influenza mRNA vaccines for low- and middle-income countries. Led by Argentina’s Sinergium Biotech, the initiative will leverage the WHO and Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, enhancing global vaccine equity and preparedness against potential influenza outbreaks.
• In March 2024, Cadila Pharmaceuticals has launched Cadiflu Tetra, a quadrivalent influenza vaccine designed to provide broader protection against four influenza virus strains. This vaccine enhances seasonal flu prevention by covering two A strains and two B strains, aligning with global vaccination guidelines. Cadiflu Tetra strengthens India's flu immunization efforts, ensuring wider accessibility and improved public health outcomes.
• In March 2024, the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) recommended approval for Zydus Lifesciences' trivalent influenza vaccine for children, marking a significant step in India's pediatric flu immunisation efforts. This vaccine targets three influenza virus strains, enhancing protection for young populations. The approval boosts vaccine accessibility, reinforcing preventive healthcare measures against seasonal flu outbreaks in India.

Key Market Players

• GSK PLC
• Pfizer Inc
• Merck & Co Inc
• Viatris Inc
• AstraZeneca PLC
• Sanofi SA
• Serum Institute of India
• Bharatbiotech International Ltd

Report Scope

In this report, the India Influenza Vaccine Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• India Influenza Vaccine Market, By Type:

o   Inactivated

o   Live Attenuated

• India Influenza Vaccine Market, By Indication:

o   Quadrivalent

o   Trivalent

• India Influenza Vaccine Market, By Age Group:

o   Pediatric

o   Adult

• India Influenza Vaccine Market, By Route of Administration:

o   Injection

o   Nasal Spray

• India Influenza Vaccine Market, By Distribution Channel:

o   Hospitals & Pharmacies

o   Government & Institutional Supply

o   Others

• India Influenza Vaccine Market, By Region:

o   East India

o   West India

o   North India

o   South India

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the India Influenza Vaccine Market.

Available Customizations:

India Influenza Vaccine Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).