OBJECTIVES: Vaccines are a special type of health products, with an important role to play in public health by preventing diseases through immunization. In France, the Vaccination Technical Commission (CTV) is responsible for drawing up vaccine policy. After, the clinical benefit of candidate vaccines is evaluated by the Transparency Committee (CT) with impact on the reimbursement decision. In case of reimbursement, the Economic Committee for Health Products (CEPS) will negociate the price.

METHODS: We conducted a systematic analysis of vaccines evaluated for reimbursement in France between 01/01/2017 and 03/31/2023.

RESULTS: In this interval, 26 vaccines were evaluated. Six for an indication’s extension,16 for the first registration and 4 for a reevaluation of their clinical benefit (SMR) and improvement in clinical benefit (ASMR). All of them have obtained an important SMR except one, Dengvaxia, because of the low impact it could have on the population. Regarding ASMR, 19 obtained a level V and 2 a level I. The average price of vaccines has fallen by 3 % over time except for vaccines against the Flu which have increased in price by 20%. Also, through 26 vaccines, 4 don’t have published price because they are limited to hospital use and one because of long price negotiation with the CEPS – since 12/11/2019. The average time to market (between marketing authorization and publication of the price in the Official Journal) was 510 days.

CONCLUSIONS: Vaccines appear to be consistently reimbursed by obtaining a sufficient SMR. Nevertheless, in most cases, no ASMR was granted. Additionally, achieving an ASMR superior to V doesn’t necessarily result in a better price. Time to the market was on average 3 times longer for vaccines (510 days) than for drugs (114 days).