by A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) suggests that targeting Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination programs towards older adults with pre-existing health conditions is a cost-effective approach to prevent RSV-related diseases and reduce associated healthcare costs.
The study revealed that vaccination strategies targeting adults with underlying medical conditions are more likely to be cost-effective than age-based strategies. According to the researchers, vaccinating older adults may be more cost-effective than no vaccination at all, and vaccinating adults aged 70 and above with chronic medical conditions is likely to be cost-effective based on commonly used cost-effectiveness thresholds. However, in some settings with higher disease risks and healthcare costs, such as remote communities in Canada’s north, broader vaccination programs across all age groups might be cost-effective.
RSV infections can lead to significant morbidity, particularly in older adults and infants. With the availability of RSV vaccines for adults, vaccination campaigns could potentially decrease the incidence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in older adults and save on healthcare expenses.
The research was conducted by teams from the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, McMaster University, the University of Ottawa, Public Health Ontario, and the Institut national de santé publique du Québec.
A separate article in CMAJ provides clinicians with a concise summary of essential points regarding RSV vaccination in older adults. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends RSV vaccination for adults aged 75 and older and for adults aged 60 and above who reside in nursing homes and other chronic care facilities. One dose of an RSV vaccine offers protection against disease for at least two respiratory virus seasons.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
