Adult Respiratory Vaccination Delivers Up to $12 in Societal Value for Every $1 Spent, Analysis Finds

Key Takeaways:

• "Benefit-cost modeling estimated $22B annual spend produces $101B-$241B net benefits, preventing ~18,500 deaths and 300,000 hospitalizations in a single year.
• Adult coverage remains suboptimal: peaks near 65% for influenza/pneumococcal in older adults, vs WHO 75% target; baseline RSV 21% (75+) and COVID-19 47% (65+).
• ACIP’s 2025 move from universal COVID-19 recommendations to shared clinical decision-making could narrow perceived eligibility, amplifying hesitancy and worsening equity gaps in uptake.
• Restricting eligibility to ≥75 years or capping coverage at 25% each adds more than 100,000 preventable deaths over 15 years; combined restrictions add more than 140,000 deaths and ~$70B costs.
• Pharmacists are pivotal for access and SCDM counseling; coadministration of influenza, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines can reduce friction, while Section 317 grants ($682M/year) appear underscaled."