SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Sanofi chief

executive Paul Hudson said on Wednesday the U.S. is likely to

see a slight weakness in vaccine demand this year ‌due to

misinformation and heightened scrutiny under the current

administration.

The Trump ​administration has in the last year upended

the ‍process for recommending immunizations, with ⁠the U.S.

earlier ⁠this month

ending its longstanding guidance that all children receive

vaccines against ‌flu and three other ​diseases.

While the benefits of immunisation remain clear, some

parents and patients may ⁠hesitate in the short ‍term, ​Hudson said

at a media event during the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference.

The French drugmaker had ‍reported a decline in vaccine sales

in the third quarter. The company has not yet provided guidance

for 2026 but expects demand to stabilise over time, Hudson said.

At the ​same ‍time, the policy uncertainty has created

favourable conditions for vaccine-focused mergers and

acquisitions, as short-term ​investors stay on the sidelines, he

added.

"It's a good time to do vaccine M&A," he said, noting that

fewer bidders are competing for assets.

Looking ahead, he said combined flu-COVID vaccines could

drive the next ​wave of vaccine uptake from 2027 or 2028,

particularly among older adults.