Current Landscape and Domestic Breakthroughs: A Comprehensive Review of Pet Vaccines in China

Pet vaccines are fundamental for protecting animal health and preventing zoonotic diseases, aligning with the global "One Health" initiative. In China, this sector is undergoing a significant transition. Following the successful localization of traditional vaccines, the industry is now actively advancing toward innovative genetic engineering platforms, particularly mRNA technology. This review systematically examines the current landscape by synthesizing available data, with a focus on three key aspects: market dynamics, research and development trends, and vaccine technology platforms. Our analysis indicates that the Chinese pet vaccine market, valued at over one billion RMB, is on a strong growth trajectory fueled by a large pet population and rising health awareness. Despite rapid growth, intensified competition and product homogenization present challenges to long-term sustainable development. Technologically, the sector is defined by diverse platforms: inactivated vaccines, noted for their safety; attenuated vaccines, valued for durable immunity; subunit vaccines, offering precise targeting; viral-vector vaccines; and the promising nucleic acid vaccines, which represent the cutting edge of innovation with several candidates in clinical trials. In conclusion, the future of pet vaccines in China lies in navigating beyond price competition through continuous innovation in safer, more efficient, and multivalent formulations. Addressing both the persistent technical bottlenecks for specific pathogens and the critical challenge of market education will be crucial to fully realizing the potential of domestic vaccines and contributing to national public health security.