OBJECTIVES: Influenza vaccination has been associated with a decreased risk for macrovascular complications in patients with dyslipidemia (with and without previous cardiovascular event). We determined potential savings of reducing these complications, with the synergistic effect of switching from a trivalent to a quadrivalent standard-dose influenza vaccine (TIV to QIV-SD) and increasing vaccination coverage rates (VCRs) in Colombia from the healthcare system perspective.

METHODS: A cost-benefit model was developed comparing two influenza vaccination scenarios for the dyslipidemia patients aged 40+. The base case scenario corresponds to TIV vaccination with a 20% VCRs. Comparison scenarios were the switch to QIV-SD vaccination and increasing VCRs to 30%, 40% and 50%. Outcomes included were the expected total cost for Acute Myocardial Infarction, Stroke, and Heart Failure complications.

Total dyslipidemia patients were calculated based on local estimated prevalence. Previous cardiovascular events profile, probability of complications and effectiveness for vaccines were obtained and derived from published scientific literature. Pan American Health Organization vaccine acquisition price and costs for complications obtained from local published literature were included.

RESULTS: Calculations were made for a population of 1.468.243 dyslipidemia patients. Expected mean costs (2021 USD$) per TIV vaccinated and non-vaccinated individual due to complications were calculated at USD$136.00 and USD$191.01 respectively. Compared to the base case, switching to QIV-SD and increasing the rates to 30%, 40% and 50%, represents potential net savings of USD$3.855.402 ($752.840-$6.182.324), USD$8.187.320 ($2.185.505-$12.688.682) and USD$12.519.238 ($3.618.171-$19.195.039) respectively for the healthcare system.

CONCLUSIONS: Switching from TIV to QIV-SD vaccination and an increase in VCR for the high blood cholesterol levels (dyslipidemia) population could represent potential net savings due to macrovascular events avoided for the healthcare system. These benefits are on top of prevention of clinical influenza cases. Therefore, identifying and vaccinating this high-risk population with QIV-SD could be advantageous to maximize overall economic and health outcomes.