OBJECTIVES: Major cardiovascular events (MACE) involve a group of chronic diseases, with high costs for the healthcare system. Studies suggest that influenza vaccination may reduce future events in patients with cardiovascular disease. The objective is to estimate potential avoided costs associated with mortality related MACE by vaccinating adult Colombian patients against influenza <72 hours after myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODS: The number of cases for the analysis was calculated from public databases based on ICD-10. MACE incidence in vaccinated and unvaccinated patients was taken from the IAMI trial. Vaccine cost was taken from PAHO Revolving Fund. Costs for event management were obtained from published literature in the local setting from the healthcare system perspective.

In patients with recent MI, the costs associated to the following fatal MACE events were considered: MI, stroke, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. Costs are expressed in USD$ for 1-year time horizon using an exchange rate of COP$4,800 per USD$1.

RESULTS: MI annual incidence in 2021 for the Colombian population was 619,826 cases. The cost per vaccine and MACE event was USD$5 and USD$3,959 respectively. Probability of cardiovascular death in vaccinated patients was 2.7% versus 4.5% in unvaccinated patients for a HR of 0.59 (0.39-0.90).

The expected annual costs per patient and population were USD$120 and USD$69,354,191 respectively for vaccinated patients, compared to USD$178 and USD$110,425,101 for unvaccinated patients. This represents a difference of USD$66 ($13-$104) per patient for a total of USD$41,070,910 ($7,943,380-$64,260,182), suggesting vaccination might mitigate up to 37.19% (7.19%-58.19%) of total expected costs

CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest a positive impact of influenza vaccination in the reduction of cardiovascular death and associated costs, in patients with recent MI events. Therefore, additional to the standard of care for disease control, vaccination against influenza may contribute to reducing the risk of a fatal cardiovascular event and healthcare system expenses.