Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of high-dose (HD) versus standard-dose (SD) influenza vaccination in adults aged ≥65 years in Finland.
METHODS: A previously published decision-analytic model was adapted to the Finnish healthcare setting compared HD and SD influenza vaccination in adults aged ≥65 years. Vaccine coverage determined allocation to vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. Outcomes included influenza cases, outpatient visits, cardiorespiratory hospitalizations, and deaths. Mortality was estimated from cardiorespiratory hospitalizations. A 1-year time horizon was used for outcomes and costs, while lifetime life-years and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) captured the long-term impact of premature mortality. The analysis was conducted from the healthcare payer perspective. Costs included resource use related to vaccination, influenza-related treatments and cardiorespiratory hospitalizations. Prevailing list prices were applied (HD €32.00; SD €7.32). Costs and QALYs were discounted at 3%. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses assessed uncertainty.
RESULTS: The results show that in a target population of 1.35 million adults aged ≥65 years, HD vaccination versus SD was associated with 7,000 fewer influenza cases, 3,000 fewer hospitalizations, and 370 fewer deaths. Total costs were €516.4 million for HD and €516.6 million for SD, yielding cost savings of €0.17 million with HD. HD vaccination also generated 3,000 additional QALYs and therefore dominated SD. Sensitivity analyses indicated robust results, with the model most sensitive to cardiorespiratory hospitalization rates and hospitalization costs.
CONCLUSIONS: In Finland, HD influenza vaccination in adults aged ≥65 years is projected to improve clinical outcomes and reduce healthcare costs compared with SD vaccination. These results provide evidence that informs healthcare decision-makers and payers when evaluating HD-IIV as part of immunization strategies for Finland.