The growing lull in pharmaceutical sales over the past several years has driven the industry to ramp up its efforts in the vaccine department. Once a dying segment of the drug market, vaccines are back in the limelight as drug manufacturers work tirelessly to make new vaccines for everything from urinary tract infections to Alzheimer’s disease. Many of their newest jabs could reach the market in less than five years.

Five years ago there were only two vaccine manufacturers remaining in America after a mass exodus by drug companies from the vaccine business. Today, drug companies are seeing dollar signs as the pendulum swings in favor of shots for all sorts of diseases. The alleged pandemic swine flu threat, among other things, has also given drug companies the green light to begin heavily producing and marketing vaccines thanks to government grants that support such endeavors.

Since prescription drug sales have been steadily declining, Big Pharma has been frantically looking for new avenues to keep raking in massive profits. Vaccines fit the bill as drug companies can work to create one for every type of ailment known to man. Many existing vaccines are being pushed more heavily upon people as well.

Vaccine sales are expected to double in the next five years, leaping from $19 billion in 2008 to $39 billion in 2013. In 2004, vaccine sales were $8 billion. Part of this growth can be attributed to the government’s ever-increasing list of recommended children’s vaccines. Currently at 17, the list has more than doubled since 1985 and is expected to continue increasing.

Vaccines are also being touted as “preventive medicine,” a rhetorical sleight of hand that makes them sound more appealing to the public. Propaganda campaigns aimed at convincing the public to receive vaccines are also utilized to stir up fear and drive up sales.