Cost-Effectiveness of High-Dose vs. Adjuvanted Trivalent Influenza Vaccines in Older Adults in Korea
Author(s)
Minseok Gong, PharmD1, Hyun Woo Jeong, PharmD1, Eunjin Bae, MPH, MS1, Soyeon Lee, PharmD2, Eugene Kim, PhD3.
1Sanofi-Aventis Korea, Seoul, Korea, Republic of, 2Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of, 3Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of.
1Sanofi-Aventis Korea, Seoul, Korea, Republic of, 2Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of, 3Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of.
OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of high-dose trivalent influenza vaccine (HD-TIV) versus adjuvanted trivalent influenza vaccines (aTIV) in Korean adults aged ≥65 years, given Korea's transition to a super-aged society and updated WHO recommendations on the use of trivalent influenza vaccines.
METHODS: A decision tree model was used to compare HD-TIVs and aTIVs in Korean adults aged ≥65 years with two scenarios: respiratory and cardio-respiratory events. Relative efficacy estimates used in the model were sourced from prior literature, including RCTs, that evaluated each vaccine’s effectiveness against standard dose TIV. Long-term quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and life years gained were estimated using a modeling structure consistent with international studies, supporting its credibility for the Korean healthcare payer perspective.
RESULTS: HD-TIV was cost-effective across all scenarios and age groups compared to aTIV and reduced influenza-related healthcare use.
In the cardio-respiratory scenario for adults aged ≥65 years, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for HD-TIV was estimated at KRW 13.8 million per QALYs gained. This favorable outcome is attributable to the superior clinical efficacy of HD-TIV. With aTIV priced at KRW 30,000 and applying a cost-effectiveness threshold equivalent to one GDP per capita, the cost-effective price of HD-TIV was estimated at nearly 3 times that amount.
Among adults aged ≥75 years, the enhanced clinical efficacy of HD-TIV (rVE: 32.4%) translated into a projected reduction of 13,318 influenza cases, 3,225 outpatient visits, 195 emergency visits, and 14,760 hospitalizations. The ICER in this subgroup was estimated at KRW 3.32million per QALY, suggesting a cost-effective price level for HD-TIV could exceed 4 times that of aTIV.
CONCLUSIONS: HD-TIV is cost-effective compared to aTIV in Korean adults aged ≥65 years. HD-TIV implementation may therefore enhance clinical outcomes while reducing the public health and economic burden of influenza (Exchange rate: 1 USD = 1404.4 KRW).
METHODS: A decision tree model was used to compare HD-TIVs and aTIVs in Korean adults aged ≥65 years with two scenarios: respiratory and cardio-respiratory events. Relative efficacy estimates used in the model were sourced from prior literature, including RCTs, that evaluated each vaccine’s effectiveness against standard dose TIV. Long-term quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and life years gained were estimated using a modeling structure consistent with international studies, supporting its credibility for the Korean healthcare payer perspective.
RESULTS: HD-TIV was cost-effective across all scenarios and age groups compared to aTIV and reduced influenza-related healthcare use.
In the cardio-respiratory scenario for adults aged ≥65 years, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for HD-TIV was estimated at KRW 13.8 million per QALYs gained. This favorable outcome is attributable to the superior clinical efficacy of HD-TIV. With aTIV priced at KRW 30,000 and applying a cost-effectiveness threshold equivalent to one GDP per capita, the cost-effective price of HD-TIV was estimated at nearly 3 times that amount.
Among adults aged ≥75 years, the enhanced clinical efficacy of HD-TIV (rVE: 32.4%) translated into a projected reduction of 13,318 influenza cases, 3,225 outpatient visits, 195 emergency visits, and 14,760 hospitalizations. The ICER in this subgroup was estimated at KRW 3.32million per QALY, suggesting a cost-effective price level for HD-TIV could exceed 4 times that of aTIV.
CONCLUSIONS: HD-TIV is cost-effective compared to aTIV in Korean adults aged ≥65 years. HD-TIV implementation may therefore enhance clinical outcomes while reducing the public health and economic burden of influenza (Exchange rate: 1 USD = 1404.4 KRW).
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EE254
Topic
Economic Evaluation
Disease
Geriatrics, No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas, Respiratory-Related Disorders (Allergy, Asthma, Smoking, Other Respiratory), Vaccines