Adjuvanted Seasonal Flu Shot Reduced Influenza-Related Hospitalizations and Produces ROI

New Jersey-based Seqirus today announced new real-world evidence supporting the relative effectiveness of FLUAD®, its adjuvanted trivalent vaccine (aTIV), compared with standard-dose, non-adjuvanted trivalent influenza vaccine and standard-dose quadrivalent influenza vaccine in reducing influenza-related outcomes in Italy.

Over 18 flu seasons, this study demonstrated that aTIV was associated with a 12% lower risk of hospitalization and a 37% lower risk of respiratory-related hospitalizations compared with the other vaccines.

"Age-related immune decline can make it harder for the body to mount a sufficient immune response to flu vaccination in people aged 65 and older, who currently account for an estimated 727 million people globally – a number expected to double by 2050," commented Gregg Sylvester, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Seqirus, in a press release.

Additionally, two studies demonstrated the cost-effectiveness of FLUAD® QUADRIVALENT, its adjuvanted quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccine (aQIV) in Spain and France.

"In Spain alone, nearly 20% of the population is aged 65 and older as of 2020, and this percentage can be expected to grow in the coming years," said Sergio Marquez-Pelaez, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, and study-co-author. 

"The use of enhanced seasonal influenza vaccines, such as those that utilize an adjuvant, not only help to reduce influenza-related outpatient visits and hospitalizations in this population but may also reduce the economic and societal burden associated with increased outpatient medical encounters."

Researchers also presented a budget impact model analysis in France that concluded utilizing aQIV in place of QIVe over three years may result in increased vaccination costs of about €90.7M.

However, this investment could yield savings totaling €66.3M from fewer influenza events and complications driven by avoidance of medical care visit costs, outpatient complication costs, and inpatient complication costs.

These findings are similar to the published models in the U.K. and Italy, evaluating the cost-effectiveness of adjuvanted quadrivalent influenza vaccine.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that seasonal influenza may result in nearly 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths each year.

The WHO recommends annual vaccination as the most effective way to prevent influenza, especially for people at a higher risk of influenza complications, such as individuals over 65 years of age.

These data were presented at the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza 8th Virtual Conference held from December 4-7, 2021. 

Note: Economic evaluations in health can be an instrumental complement to the decision-making process, and the methodological approaches should be continually refined and improved.

Seqirus, based in Summit, NJ, is part of CSL Limited, one of the largest influenza vaccine providers in the world.