GSK to Close Dresden Vaccine Plant in 2027, Risking 641 Jobs

GSK plans to close its traditional vaccine manufacturing plant in Dresden, Germany, by the summer of 2027, putting 641 jobs at risk as demand for egg-based flu shots declines. Shares of GSK traded up 3.99% to $50.05 as of September 14, 2026, according to Finnhub market data.

"With decreasing demand for traditional egg-based flu vaccines, meaning we have more capacity than we need, we've conducted a review of the viability of our two flu vaccines manufacturing sites in Dresden, Germany, and Ste-Foy, Canada," GSK said in a statement reported by The Economic Times.

Consolidating North American Operations

The pharmaceutical company's decision stems from structural overcapacity across its manufacturing footprint. Traditional influenza vaccines rely on an egg-based production method that has faced shifting public health preferences and lower overall uptake compared to newer inoculation technologies.

"Following this, we have taken a difficult decision to consolidate operations at one site. We have selected the site in Canada, which can fully match anticipated future demand in a sustainable and competitive way," GSK stated in the Economic Times report.

The consolidation leaves the Ste-Foy facility in Canada as the primary manufacturing hub for GSK's traditional portfolio. The German facility in Dresden currently produces both influenza and hepatitis vaccines, and winding down operations over the next year will impact hundreds of local workers.

The Shift Toward mRNA Technology

Beyond traditional manufacturing, GSK is realigning its research pipeline to focus on next-generation vaccine platforms. The company plans to advance its mRNA-based seasonal influenza vaccine candidate into late-stage clinical trials following positive results from mid-stage testing.

Traditional egg-based production requires a lengthy manufacturing cycle that begins months before flu season, limiting responsiveness to emerging viral strains. mRNA platforms offer shorter production timelines, which pharmaceutical developers hope will yield higher efficacy against rapidly mutating influenza strains.