Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of a Maternal Vaccination Program Against Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Norway

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is recognized as the primary cause of hospitalizations among children with lower respiratory tract infections in developed countries, placing a significant burden on both patients and healthcare systems. The efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of maternal vaccination with the novel RSVpreF vaccine have been evaluated in a Phase III clinical trial, showing a decreased risk of severe infection in infants. Our study assesses the cost-effectiveness of the RSVpreF vaccine and seasonal variation of costs in a Norwegian setting.

Methods

A Markov model was used to estimate the clinical outcomes, costs, and quality-adjusted life years of a hypothetical cohort of Norwegian infants born during a single RSV season. A seasonal vaccination program with RSVpreF vaccine was compared to no intervention by means of an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) from extended healthcare and societal perspectives.

Results

A seasonal maternal vaccination program with RSVpreF in Norway is cost-effective from both a healthcare and societal perspective, given the Norwegian willingness-to-pay threshold range. The program could prevent 27% of the yearly RSV-associated hospital admissions, as well as 14% and 24% of the yearly RSV-associated primary care and outpatient visits. A 10% increase/decrease in hospitalization costs during the winter/summer months leads to a 26% reduction in the ICER from a healthcare perspective and turns the intervention into a dominant strategy from a societal one.

Conclusions

Based on the RSVpreF vaccine's list price in Norway, the seasonal vaccination program is cost-effective from both the healthcare and societal perspectives, considering a willingness-to-pay threshold of 500,000 NOK.