BACKGROUND
Vaccine-preventable illnesses, such as pneumococcal disease, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, and COVID-19 place a significant burden on Spain's population health, health system, and economy. However, uptake and funding constraints limit the full value potential of Spain's national immunization programs.
METHODS
A benefit - cost analysis was performed to assess the societal return on investment from adult vaccination by estimating benefit - cost ratios and net benefits (NBs). All outcomes were monetized using established methods. Program costs included all direct vaccination-related expenditures. Scenario and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess alternative program specifications and to test the robustness of the model.
RESULTS
Spain's age-based respiratory immunization programs generate lifetime societal benefits of €1.9 when monetized mortality risk reduction is age-adjusted and €7.0 per €1 spent when monetized equally across all ages. This corresponds to NBs of €5.4 to €36.4 billion. Introducing adult RSV vaccination could increase NBs by up to 41%-21% compared to the status quo. Additionally, improving uptake across all programs would increase NBs by 134%-101%.
CONCLUSIONS
Spain's adult respiratory vaccination programs generate positive socioeconomic returns. Including adult RSV vaccination and increasing vaccination uptake in general could further increase their societal benefits. Realizing these gains requires adequate public investment to improve vaccine uptake.
Matthew Napier, A. López-Ibáñez de Aldecoa, S. Brassel et al.· Expert Review of Vaccines· 0 citations
BACKGROUND
In Sweden, older adults and adults in clinical risk groups are recommended vaccination against pneumococcal disease, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, and COVID-19. However, vaccine uptake remains inadequate. This study estimates the socioeconomic benefits of these immunization programs under current coverage compared to aspirational scenarios, assessing the value foregone due to suboptimal uptake.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We conducted a benefit-cost analysis from a societal perspective applying life table-based disease models to estimate benefit-cost ratios (BCRs) and net benefits (NBs). Health impacts were monetized through the value-of-a-statistical-life and cost-of-illness approaches. Costs comprised vaccination program expenses. Scenario and sensitivity analyses explore coverage and program eligibility.
RESULTS
Vaccination programs in older adults generated BCRs of 3:1 and NBs of SEK 54.4 billion over a lifetime (VSLY). When risk groups were included to model current strategies in Sweden, NBs increased to SEK 59.7 billion. Reaching aspirational coverage targets increased NBs by 18%, meanwhile restricting eligibility reduced NBs by 64%.
CONCLUSION
Adult respiratory vaccinations in Sweden provide substantial value for the healthcare system, economy and society, with estimated benefits exceeding costs under modeled assumptions. These findings may inform policy discussions on strategies to sustain or expand vaccination budget, improve access and increase uptake, particularly among at-risk populations.
E. Tunnicliffe, Matthew Napier, C. Theakston et al.· Expert Review of Vaccines· 0 citations