Sanofi’s $10.6 Million Green Machine

Monroe County's biggest name in vaccines just got a state-funded tune-up. Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley visited Sanofi Pasteur's Swiftwater facility on June 26 to highlight a new $10,646,316 grant through the state's Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) program.

The money will replace eight natural gas-fired dehydrators, the equipment Sanofi uses to process and dispose of egg waste generated during vaccine production, with a new paddle dryer and regenerative thermal oxidizer. The upgrade is expected to cut the facility's natural gas use by roughly 65% and to be completed by the end of Q4 2026. The project is expected to create 18 permanent jobs (running three shifts) in addition to the ~40 temporary construction jobs.

For context on why this particular plant matters: Sanofi's Swiftwater campus manufactures approximately 42% of the influenza vaccine doses used across the country every year, making it one of the company's primary global vaccine production sites and, as officials put it, a cornerstone business for the Poconos.

“Here in Monroe County, we're helping reduce energy costs, create jobs, and cut down on harmful air pollution by ensuring businesses like Sanofi can operate more efficiently and continue their lifesaving work producing nearly half of our nation's flu vaccine supply,” Shapiro said at the announcement.

Monroe County Commissioner John Christy was on hand too, calling the investment proof that “Monroe County continues to be a place where world-class companies choose to invest, grow, and modernize.” Sanofi Vice President Rakesh Kakkar noted the company has put more than $1.3 billion into the Swiftwater campus over the past 15 years.