Publication date: Jul 20, 2025
Respiratory infections such as pneumococcal disease (PD), RSV, influenza (Flu), and COVID-19 impose a major socio-economic burden in the UK. Adult vaccination programs cost-effectively reduce this burden, yet their societal value remains under-assessed. A benefit-cost analysis (BCA) using life-table-based disease modeling estimated morbidity and mortality reductions from current age- and risk-based recommendations. Mortality risk reduction was monetized using two approaches: value of a statistical life year (VSLY) and hence adjusting for remaining life expectancy, and value of a statistical life (VSL), assuming equal valuation across ages. Scenarios included current and expanded eligibility. Outcomes were reported as benefit-cost ratios (BCRs) and net benefits (NBs). Over each cohort’s lifetime, vaccinations prevented 313,000 hospitalizations, freed up 1. 9 million bed days, and averted over 86,000 deaths. First-year BCRs were 5. 1 (VSLY) and 19. 3 (VSL), with NBs of lb5. 1 billion and lb23 billion, respectively. Lifetime net benefits ranged from lb35. 5 billion to lb200. 1 billion, with BCRs of 5. 8 and 27. 8. Expanded eligibility further increased NBs but lowered the BCR. Adult respiratory vaccination delivers socio-economic benefits well beyond direct healthcare savings, yet investment remains low. Considering broader impacts beyond standard cost-effectiveness can better align policy with public health and economic goals.
Open Access PDF
| Concepts | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Covid | adult vaccination |
| Hospitalizations | benefit cost analysis |
| Influenza | Respiratory infection |
| Low |
Semantics
| Type | Source | Name |
|---|---|---|
| disease | MESH | Respiratory infections |
| disease | MESH | pneumococcal disease |
| disease | MESH | influenza |
| disease | MESH | COVID-19 |
| disease | MESH | morbidity |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Aspartame |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Tropicamide |
| disease | MESH | infection |