The results indicate that protecting adults aged 60 and over against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) would significantly reduce the disease burden and allow for annual savings exceeding 45 million euros in direct medical costs for the National Health Service.
Joana Alves, the principal author of the study and a researcher at the National School of Public Health at the NOVA University of Lisbon (ENSP NOVA), stated that the study aimed to assess the clinical and economic impact of RSV vaccination for adults aged 60 and over in Portugal.
An economic model adapted to the national reality was employed, considering a five-year timeframe. The data was based on literature published in Portugal and supplemented with international sources when necessary.
The research concluded that vaccinating approximately 1.5 million adults aged 60 and over could potentially prevent approximately 153,000 cases of acute respiratory infection caused by RSV, about 87,000 episodes of lower respiratory tract disease, 2,489 hospitalizations, and 2,346 emergency episodes over five years.
The “Economic Impact Study of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus” estimates that these episodes currently represent an annual cost of around 217 million euros, including hospitalizations, emergency episodes, intensive care, and consultations.
“Scientific evidence already tells us that vaccination is an important ally as a preventive measure, in terms of public health gains. Moreover, the RSV vaccine for the population over 60 is also cost-effective, contributing to the sustainability of the National Health Service,” stated Joana Alves.
The researcher explained that “although vaccination represents an increase in costs for the National Health Service, it allows for savings in other areas by avoiding hospitalizations, intensive care, and consultations.”
Moreover, by avoiding hospitalizations, intensive care, and consultations, vaccination can also help “free up clinical resources that are important to address and meet other needs of the National Health Service,” she emphasized.
According to Joana Alves, RSV is “often underestimated” because it is associated with younger ages, but she warned that it is a very common agent in respiratory infections, particularly in the autumn and winter months.
“It is one of the leading causes of pneumonia and respiratory failure in older adults and can also exacerbate chronic diseases such as COPD [Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease], heart failure, or diabetes,” she cautioned.
“Therefore, vaccination is truly an essential factor and an ally in prevention. In this case, it is also a crucial tool for the sustainability of the National Health Service,” Joana Alves concluded.
