Pharmaceutical companies play a critical role in the global fight against vaccine-preventable diseases.
From developing new vaccines to scaling up manufacturing and ensuring safe delivery, these companies are key players in the immunization landscape.
Their involvement helps drive innovation, meet demand, and respond quickly to public health emergencies.
But the role of pharma goes far beyond the lab. Through collaborations with governments, nonprofits, and global health agencies, pharmaceutical manufacturers contribute to large-scale vaccination efforts, including pandemic responses and ongoing childhood immunization programs.
This page explores how the industry supports global health, the partnerships that make it possible, and the challenges that still need to be addressed.
The Role of Manufacturers
At the heart of global immunization efforts are the companies that research, develop, and produce vaccines. Pharmaceutical manufacturers invest years, and sometimes decades, into creating safe and effective vaccines for a wide range of diseases.
From early-stage clinical trials to regulatory approval, their work forms the foundation of every vaccination program.
Once a vaccine is approved, the focus shifts to scaling production.
This involves complex manufacturing processes, quality control systems, and supply chain management to ensure that vaccines are produced at the volumes needed to serve global populations.
Companies must also prepare for variable demand, temperature-controlled shipping, and long-term storage solutions, especially for vaccines distributed in low-resource settings.
Many of the vaccines used in national immunization programs come from a mix of multinational firms and specialized manufacturers in emerging markets.
Together, they provide the critical infrastructure and expertise needed to ensure vaccines are not only developed but delivered where they’re needed most.
Public-Private Partnerships
Pharmaceutical companies rarely operate in isolation when it comes to global immunization. Much of their impact comes through collaboration with governments, international health agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
These public-private partnerships help align scientific innovation with public health priorities, ensuring that vaccines reach the people who need them most.
During health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, these partnerships play a pivotal role.
Vaccine manufacturers worked alongside groups like the WHO, CEPI, and UNICEF to accelerate development, expand production, and distribute doses globally.
Programs like COVAX were created specifically to coordinate vaccine access across countries, leveraging pharma-industry resources while focusing on equity.
Outside of emergencies, these partnerships continue to support routine immunization efforts. In some cases, manufacturers engage in tiered pricing or donation programs to improve affordability in low-income countries.
Others sign voluntary licensing agreements that allow regional producers to manufacture vaccines locally, improving supply resilience and cutting delivery delays.
Ensuring Safety and Regulation
Every vaccine, no matter who manufactures it, must pass through a rigorous system of safety testing and regulatory approval before it reaches the public.
Pharmaceutical companies are responsible for conducting clinical trials that evaluate a vaccine’s safety, efficacy, and appropriate dosage across different age groups and populations.
These trials are closely monitored and reviewed by independent experts and global health agencies, often in close collaboration with research institutions that contribute methodological design, data analysis, and peer-reviewed oversight.
Once a vaccine is ready for public use, it must meet standards set by national and international regulatory authorities.
In many cases, vaccines are submitted for WHO prequalification, which ensures they meet global standards for safety, quality, and effectiveness, a key requirement for vaccines purchased by organizations like UNICEF or Gavi-funded programs.
Even after approval, the work doesn’t stop. Manufacturers continue to monitor vaccine safety through pharmacovigilance systems that track any adverse events, provide ongoing safety updates, and allow for quick response if concerns arise.
This end-to-end process is critical for maintaining public trust in vaccines and the organizations that deliver them.
Challenges and Controversies
While pharmaceutical companies are essential to global immunization, their role also raises important questions around equity, access, and transparency.
One of the most common concerns is vaccine affordability. High development costs and intellectual property protections can lead to pricing models that place life-saving vaccines out of reach for lower-income countries, especially when public funding supported their research.
Patents and manufacturing rights have also come under scrutiny, particularly during global emergencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, calls to waive vaccine patents highlighted tensions between profit-driven models and public health needs.
Critics argued that open access to vaccine technology could have increased global supply and shortened delivery timelines, especially in underserved regions.
Another challenge is supply chain transparency. Information on vaccine availability, distribution timelines, and production capacity is often limited, making it harder for global partners to plan and allocate resources effectively.
Addressing these issues requires ongoing dialogue between industry, policymakers, and public health advocates to balance innovation with inclusive access.
Moving Toward Equitable Access
In recent years, pharmaceutical companies have taken more active steps toward expanding vaccine access, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
One key approach is voluntary licensing, where large manufacturers allow regional producers to make and distribute vaccines locally.
This helps shorten delivery times, reduce costs, and build regional manufacturing capacity for future needs.
Tiered pricing remains another tool, allowing the same vaccine to be sold at lower prices in countries with fewer resources.
While not a perfect solution, it has made many essential vaccines, like those for pneumococcal disease and rotavirus, more accessible across the Global South.
Some companies also support donation programs or work with partners to subsidize vaccine costs through pooled procurement systems.
Looking ahead, the path to equitable immunization will require continued collaboration, transparency, and long-term investment.
The pharmaceutical industry has the expertise and infrastructure to drive progress, and when paired with strong public-sector partnerships, it can help close the vaccine access gap for good.
Conclusion
Pharmaceutical companies play a foundational role in global immunization, from developing new vaccines to producing and delivering them at scale.
Their partnerships, innovations, and manufacturing capabilities have helped protect millions of lives worldwide.
But with that influence comes responsibility: to ensure that vaccines are not only effective but also accessible, affordable, and fairly distributed.
As global health challenges evolve, the need for stronger collaboration between industry and public health systems will only grow.
A future of equitable immunization is possible, but only if science, supply, and access move forward together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do pharmaceutical companies do in global immunization?
They research, manufacture, and distribute vaccines, often working with governments and global health partners to scale delivery and maintain safety standards.
How do pharma companies set vaccine prices?
Prices are influenced by research costs, manufacturing complexity, and market demand. Some companies use tiered pricing or licensing agreements to improve access in low-income countries.
Are vaccine manufacturers involved in emergencies?
Yes. During pandemics or outbreaks, manufacturers often fast-track production, expand capacity, and work closely with agencies like WHO and UNICEF to distribute vaccines globally.
What is WHO prequalification?
It’s a process that ensures vaccines meet international standards for safety, quality, and efficacy. Prequalification is essential for procurement by many global health programs.
How can access to vaccines be improved?
Through partnerships, transparent pricing, voluntary licensing, and support for regional manufacturing, all aimed at making vaccines more affordable and widely available.