System-Level Economic Impact of a Combination Influenza-COVID-19 Vaccine vs. Standalone Vaccinations in the United Kingdom
Author(s)
Rob Blissett, EngD1, Emily Boller, MPH1, James Horscroft, PhD1, Stuart Michael Carroll, BA, MBA, MSc2, Sam Williams, BA, MSc, PhD3, Orsolya Balogh, BA, MSc, PhD3, Tasqeen Ahmed, BSc, MSc3.
1Maple Health Group, New York, NY, USA, 2Moderna, Maidenhead, United Kingdom, 3Moderna, London, United Kingdom.
1Maple Health Group, New York, NY, USA, 2Moderna, Maidenhead, United Kingdom, 3Moderna, London, United Kingdom.
OBJECTIVES: Seasonal influenza and COVID-19 remain significant public health burdens globally. While standalone vaccines are routinely administered, a combination vaccine could streamline logistics, improve cost-effectiveness and enhance coverage. We developed a cost calculator to estimate the system-level economic impact of a combination influenza-COVID-19 vaccine compared with separate administrations in the 65+ United Kingdom (UK) population.
METHODS: We developed a customisable cost calculator incorporating direct and indirect costs relevant to vaccination programmes. Inputs included, vaccine acquisition and administration costs, wastage rates, productivity loss due to time off for vaccination, and environmental costs (cold storage and last mile delivery). Three strategies were compared: (1) combination vaccine; (2) separate administration of high-dose influenza and COVID-19 vaccines and (3) separate administration of standard-dose influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. Outputs included, total programme cost, the estimated vaccine covered population and cost per covered individual. Sensitivity analyses explored the impact of varying compliance rates and wastage differentials.
RESULTS: Initial results suggest the combination vaccine yields lower overall programme costs due to simplified logistics and lower appointment burden (£1.70bn, £1.91bn and £1.80bn for strategies 1, 2 and 3 respectively). Cost per covered individual was also lower in the combination scenario, driven primarily by reduced administration costs, productivity loss and environmental impact. Sensitivity analyses confirmed robustness of findings across a range of plausible input values.
CONCLUSIONS: A combination influenza-COVID-19 vaccine may offer cost savings compared with standalone vaccinations and support the UK Government’s prevention commitment. The cost calculator offers policymakers and healthcare decision-makers a flexible tool to assess the economic and operational implications of adopting combination vaccination strategies.
METHODS: We developed a customisable cost calculator incorporating direct and indirect costs relevant to vaccination programmes. Inputs included, vaccine acquisition and administration costs, wastage rates, productivity loss due to time off for vaccination, and environmental costs (cold storage and last mile delivery). Three strategies were compared: (1) combination vaccine; (2) separate administration of high-dose influenza and COVID-19 vaccines and (3) separate administration of standard-dose influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. Outputs included, total programme cost, the estimated vaccine covered population and cost per covered individual. Sensitivity analyses explored the impact of varying compliance rates and wastage differentials.
RESULTS: Initial results suggest the combination vaccine yields lower overall programme costs due to simplified logistics and lower appointment burden (£1.70bn, £1.91bn and £1.80bn for strategies 1, 2 and 3 respectively). Cost per covered individual was also lower in the combination scenario, driven primarily by reduced administration costs, productivity loss and environmental impact. Sensitivity analyses confirmed robustness of findings across a range of plausible input values.
CONCLUSIONS: A combination influenza-COVID-19 vaccine may offer cost savings compared with standalone vaccinations and support the UK Government’s prevention commitment. The cost calculator offers policymakers and healthcare decision-makers a flexible tool to assess the economic and operational implications of adopting combination vaccination strategies.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EE680
Topic
Economic Evaluation, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care
Topic Subcategory
Budget Impact Analysis
Disease
Vaccines