Abstract: OBJECTIVES: In Greece, the National Immunization Program strongly recommends the immunization of older adults for prevention of certain respiratory diseases. Despite these recommendations, vaccine uptake remains suboptimal. This study aims to estimate the net benefits of achieving aspirational vaccination coverage levels against specific respiratory diseases in Greek adults aged 60 and over.
METHODS: A Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) from a societal perspective was conducted to evaluate the health and socioeconomic value of adult vaccination programmes for pneumococcal disease, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and COVID-19 in Greece. Four static, deterministic disease models were developed using published data and Greek-specific data, provided availability. Benefits were monetised over each cohort’s remaining lifetime, using a cost-of-illness approach for morbidity and the value of a statistical life (VSL) or the value of a statistical life year (VSLY) for mortality. VSLY estimates provide an age-adjusted mortality valuation. Outcomes were reported as Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) based on aggregated benefits and costs across all cohorts and programmes under an aspirational 75% coverage scenario compared to no vaccination
RESULTS: Over a lifetime horizon, achieving the targeted vaccination coverage is projected to prevent approximately 1.1 million medically attended cases and avert 17,723 deaths. The estimated societal BCR of the four vaccination programmes ranges from €9 for €1 spent (VSL) to €3 for €1 spent (VSLY). These results translate into net monetary benefits of €33 billion and €6 billion, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Improving adult respiratory vaccination coverage in Greece could yield substantial health and socioeconomic gains. These findings demonstrate that adult immunisation represents a highly valuable public health measure, offering strong societal returns in both lives saved and costs averted. Achieving higher uptake of existing programs would not only alleviate disease burden but also contribute to the long-term sustainability of the Greek healthcare system and economy.
