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FOI release

FOI2026/00679 - Vaccine sales data

Published 13 July 2026

© Crown copyright 2026

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vmd-foieir-requests-april-2026/foi202600679-vaccine-sales-data

1. Your request

Please could I submit a freedom of information request to be provided with the sales data for vaccines licensed for the prevention of swine influenza?  Please could I be provided with:   

*   Yearly sales data for each vaccine licensed for the prevention of swine influenza from 2015 to 2025, stratified by the vaccine name.  

I understand that the same data are not available for autogenous vaccines, please could I confirm that? If data are available please could I also have:   

*   Autogenous vaccines sales data for vaccines to be administered to pigs from 2015 to 2025, stratified by the pathogens included in the vaccines.

2. Our reply

We do not collect or hold sales data for autogenous vaccines.  

We are withholding yearly sales data for each vaccine licensed for the prevention of swine influenza under Section 43(2). The sales dataset comprises a very small number of Marketing Authorisation Holders (three or fewer), meaning it is possible to identify or infer individual MAH performance, market share, or commercial strategy. Disclosure would provide competitors with commercially valuable insights and could distort competition within the veterinary medicines market. Release would therefore prejudice the commercial interests of the MAHs concerned. 

Public Interest Test  Factors Favouring Disclosure 

  • Transparency and accountability: Disclosure would support openness about the VMD’s activities and how public functions are carried out, including engagement with industry.  

  • Public understanding of markets: There is a general public interest in understanding how markets operate and how regulated products are supplied or sold.  

  • Confidence in decision‑making: Disclosure may promote confidence in the VMD’s regulatory or commercial decision‑making processes. 

Factors Favouring Withholding 

  • Risk of commercial prejudice: Disclosure would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of the manufacturer by revealing sales volumes and market performance, which could be used by competitors, suppliers, or customers to the company’s disadvantage.  

  • Low number of supplier context: Because there are less than 3 manufacturers, the data cannot be sufficiently anonymised or aggregated to protect commercial confidentiality.  

  • Impact on fair competition: Releasing detailed sales information could distort competition by giving competitors or negotiating partners an unfair commercial advantage.  

  • Damage to third‑party trust: Disclosure of sensitive commercial information could undermine confidence in the VMD’s ability to protect legitimately confidential information, which may adversely affect future cooperation and information‑sharing with industry.  

  • No overriding public benefit: The specific sales figures would add limited additional insight into the VMD’s activities beyond information that is already publicly available. 

2.1 Outcome 

After considering the factors for disclosure and withholding, we conclude that the public interest in protecting commercially sensitive information and preserving the integrity of the VMD’s regulatory functions outweighs the public interest in disclosure. Accordingly, the information is withheld under Section 43(2) FOIA.

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