Adult Vaccines - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026-2031)

The adult vaccines market size was valued at USD 42.33 billion in 2025 and is estimated to grow from USD 45.84 billion in 2026 to reach USD 68.54 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 8.36% during the forecast period (2026-2031). This report is Segmented by Vaccine Type (Inactivated Viral or Bacterial Vaccines, and More), by Indication (Influenza, COVID-19, and More), by Age Group (18-49 Years, 50-64 Years, and More), by Route of Administration (Intramuscular and More), by End User (Healthcare Firms and Hospitals and More), and Geography (North America, Europe, and More). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

Global Adult Vaccines Market Trends and Insights

Expansion of Adult Immunization Schedules Widens the Eligible Population

mRNA development is moving beyond COVID-19 products toward broader respiratory vaccine portfolios. Moderna completed regulatory submissions for mRNA-1010, a seasonal influenza candidate, in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe, with potential approvals beginning in 2026. Pfizer's pipeline included an mRNA influenza candidate in Phase 2, a combined COVID-19 and influenza mRNA candidate in Phase 2, and a self-amplifying RNA influenza candidate in Phase 1. Platform agility can reduce the time required to update antigen sequences compared with egg-based influenza production. Developers also aim to improve thermostability, which could reduce cold-chain dependence and support access in lower-income settings. A 2026 review identified more than 35 active mRNA therapeutic and vaccine programs, including 6 in late-stage development. The Adult vaccines market could gain from these platforms where product development is matched with practical delivery and procurement requirements.

Aging Population and Higher Burden of Severe Infection

Adults aged 65 years and older have reduced immune responsiveness, which increases the need for adjuvanted and high-dose formulations within established vaccine categories. This group has lower naive T-cell output and can respond less strongly to standard-dose vaccine formulations. Pneumococcal pneumonia accounted for an estimated 225,000 adult hospitalizations annually in the United States, while invasive pneumococcal disease incidence in 2022 was 17.2 per 100,000 among adults aged 65 years and older and 13.2 per 100,000 among adults aged 50-64 years. Black adults had peak invasive pneumococcal disease rates at ages 55-59 years, earlier than the non-Black population, with non-PCV13 serotypes contributing to the pattern. PCV21 covered 83% of invasive pneumococcal disease cases in adults aged 50-64 years, which supports a more targeted clinical approach for this cohort. The Adult vaccines market can benefit where outreach reflects this earlier disease burden and the needs of adults approaching older age.

Vaccine Hesitancy and Misinformation Suppress Realized Uptake

The Adult vaccines market faces a behavioral barrier because exposure to unreliable health information can weaken willingness to receive recommended products. Adults who used social media for health information at least weekly were more likely to endorse the false claim linking vaccines and autism than non-users in a 2025 tracking poll. A 2025 study found that institutional trust and susceptibility to misinformation independently predicted vaccine skepticism, while prior health knowledge did not significantly offset those effects. Adults vaccinated against COVID-19 can still be hesitant about respiratory syncytial virus or zoster vaccines if they question the value of multi-dose schedules or later boosters. A randomized controlled trial found that messaging delivered before misinformation exposure could improve vaccination willingness. Pharmacy settings are important because they provide repeated adult vaccine encounters and can support clear, timely communication before misinformation becomes the deciding influence.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

• Growth in RSV, Zoster, Pneumococcal, Influenza, and HPV Vaccination Sustains Broad Demand
• New Product Launches and Platform Innovation Redefine the Competitive Baseline
• Affordability, Reimbursement, and Cold-Chain Constraints Limit Access Breadth

Segment Analysis

Recombinant and protein-subunit vaccines held 32.34% of Adult vaccines market share in 2025, making them the largest vaccine type. Mature zoster, human papillomavirus, and hepatitis B franchises support this position. GSK's Shingrix generated GBP 0.90 billion in second-quarter 2026 sales, an increase of 3% year over year. mRNA vaccines are forecast to grow at a 12.38% CAGR through 2031 as influenza and respiratory candidates supplement annual COVID-19 booster demand. Inactivated viral and bacterial vaccines remain relevant across influenza, hepatitis B, and typhoid vaccination.

Conjugate vaccines are central to adult pneumococcal vaccination after the 2024 schedule expansion to adults aged 50 years and older. Live-attenuated products retain a stable niche for measles, mumps, and rubella catch-up and varicella vaccination in selected adults. Other platforms, including self-amplifying RNA and viral vectors, remain in clinical development and are unlikely to generate substantial commercial revenue before 2028. The Adult vaccines market size for recombinant products benefits from established schedules that require repeated or multi-dose use. mRNA uptake will depend on regulatory decisions, seasonal demand, and the ability to demonstrate value beyond COVID-19.

Influenza represented 34.19% of the Adult vaccines market size in 2025, supported by annual procurement through government, employers, pharmacies, and travel health channels. The 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons used trivalent formulations aligned with updated World Health Organization strain recommendations without meaningful supply disruption. Respiratory syncytial virus is forecast to grow at an 11.47% CAGR through 2031. Cumulative U.S. doses for adults aged 50 years and older reached 17.8 million through April 2026. Coverage among adults aged 75 years and older was 43.20% by February 2026, below the more than 70% levels common for established influenza vaccination in the same age group.

COVID-19 vaccines remain a material revenue category, although the 2025 label restriction reduced routine demand compared with the universal recommendation period. Zoster, pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus, and hepatitis A and B vaccines form a higher-value prevention group with greater discretionary purchasing. The Adult vaccines market is influenced by whether providers explain eligibility and complete multi-dose schedules. Respiratory syncytial virus products remain supply-adequate, but demand has not yet matched the full eligible population. The Adult vaccines market retains room for providers, pharmacies, and manufacturers to improve coverage without waiting for another product category.

Complete Report Scope:

• By Vaccine Type
  • Inactivated Viral or Bacterial Vaccines
  • Recombinant and Protein-Subunit Vaccines
  • Conjugate Vaccines
  • mRNA Vaccines
  • Live-Attenuated Vaccines
  • Other Technology Platforms
• By Indication
  • Influenza
  • COVID-19
  • Herpes Zoster
  • Pneumococcal Disease
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus
  • Human Papillomavirus and Cervical Cancer Prevention
  • Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B
  • Others
• By Age Group
  • Adults Aged 18-49 Years
  • Adults Aged 50-64 Years
  • Adults Aged 65 Years and Above
  • Pregnant Adults
• By Route of Administration
  • Intramuscular Administration
  • Subcutaneous Administration
  • Intradermal Administration
  • Others
• By End User
  • Healthcare Firms and Hospitals
  • Government Health Agencies
  • Employers and Occupational Health Programs
  • Travelers and Educational Institutions
  • Others
• By Geography
  • North America
    • United States
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • United Kingdom
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia-Pacific
    • China
    • Japan
    • India
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  • Middle East and Africa
    • GCC
    • South Africa
    • Rest of Middle East and Africa
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Rest of South America

Geography Analysis

North America held 43.17% of Adult vaccines market share in 2025, making it the largest regional contributor. The region benefits from ACIP-guided recommendations, Medicare and commercial insurance reimbursement, and extensive pharmacy vaccination networks. Employer-sponsored influenza and COVID-19 programs add demand beyond the public funding base in the United States. British Columbia expanded publicly funded human papillomavirus vaccination in July 2025 to all people aged 19-26 years and selected people through age 45 years. The change aligns with broader adult eligibility expansion in high-income jurisdictions.

Europe remains heterogeneous in its adult immunization systems and uptake levels. England reported 27.00% first-dose Shingrix coverage among newly eligible 70-year-olds in the first quarter of the 2025-26 season. In July 2026, the European Commission authorized Pfizer and BioNTech's XFG-adapted COVID-19 vaccine for the 2026-27 season, showing the ability to process updated respiratory formulations ahead of the season. Southern and eastern European countries have lower coverage for some non-influenza adult vaccines. This gap leaves the Adult vaccines market with room for established manufacturers that have regional distribution capabilities.

Asia-Pacific is forecast to grow at an 11.45% CAGR through 2031, the highest rate among regions in the Adult vaccines market. Japan faces fragmented national and local financing, which has limited adult vaccine uptake despite population aging. Australia reported that nearly one-third of eligible adults aged 65 years and older received at least 1 Shingrix dose in the first year of its national program, although remoteness and Indigenous status were linked with equity gaps. China is expanding through urban private clinics, while India is supported by higher private healthcare spending and greater awareness of hepatitis B and human papillomavirus vaccination.

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

• AstraZeneca
• Bavarian Nordic
• Bharat Biotech International Limited
• Biological E
• CSL Behring
• Daiichi Sankyo
• Dynavax Technologies
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Hualan Biological
• Indian Immunologicals
• Johnson & Johnson
• Merck
• Novavax
• Panacea Biotec Limited
• Pfizer
• Sanofi
• Serum Institute of India
• Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Products Co., Ltd.
• Sinovac Biotech
• Valneva

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support