Adult Vaccinations Produce 19 to 1 ROI

In recent times, the pandemic highlighted contagious diseases that affect older individuals, leading to an increased burden of costly hospitalization.

One proven tactic to prevent disease is vaccination.

A recent study across 10 countries revealed that adult immunization programs can generate a return of up to 19 times their initial investment when considering the full range of benefits. 

This study calculated the equivalent of billions of dollars in net monetary benefits to society or, more concretely, up to $4,637 for one individual's entire vaccination course.

Published on April 17, 2024, the report concludes that vaccination programs deliver substantial returns on government investment through cost savings within healthcare systems and more comprehensive socio-economic benefits.

Furthermore, governments are recommended to adopt a prevention-first mindset to help ease increasing pressures on health systems and society, with adult immunization playing a crucial role in enabling us to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives.

Professor Lotte Steuten, Deputy CEO of the Office of Health Economics and co-author of the report, commented in a press release, "Our report sets out a compelling case for adult immunization programs playing a key role in the shift to prevention." 

"Our findings show that costs are offset multiple times over by benefits to society when governments invest in adult immunization programs."

"These returns are realized through benefits to individuals, families, and communities, providing a clear call to action to countries not already implementing or expanding robust vaccination schedules."

Furthermore, these economic findings are likely to underestimate the total value that adult vaccines bring to society.

A recent U.S. CDC MMWR revealed the fourth consecutive year of TB case increases. In 2023, there was a 16% increase in TB cases across various demographics, including seniors in the U.S.

According to USAID, treating one TB case in the U.S. costs about $20,000, and a drug-resistant tuberculosis case can cost over $150,000.

From a prevention perspective, a significant number of TB cases can be prevented with a US FDA-approved vaccine (BCG) for less than $500.

This first-of-its-kind financial analysis of adult immunization programs focusing on vaccines that protect against influenza, pneumococcal disease, respiratory syncytial virus, and herpes zoster was commissioned by the Office of Health Economics and commissioned by IFPMA.