A new study in Health Affairs Scholar uses a cost-benefit model to evaluate the inclusion of five vaccines across the life course in Colombia’s national immunization program. This model estimated a return of US$1.3 per US$1.0 invested in the first two decades, increasing to US$3.9 after 60 years. Primary benefits were productivity gains, followed by fiscal savings, and household averted expenditure on health care.
Furthermore, vulnerable households are predicted to receive 3.2 times greater income protection than formally employed households under a life-course immunization program. Consequently, there is a potential to reduce Colombia’s income inequality and poverty rate by increasing access to immunization for all ages.
In addition to informing Colombia’s national program, this study presents an innovative approach to blending fiscal, economic, social, and health outcomes to make the case for life-course immunization programs in other countries. It highlights the value of investing in life-course immunization beyond health outcomes, including building resilience in the health system, contributing to more equitable socioeconomic progress, particularly for countries facing aging populations, and supporting the 2030 SDGs related to reducing income inequality and alleviating poverty. As countries continue to recover routine immunization coverage rates post–COVID-19 and expand efforts to meet new public health needs, improved evidence will be critical in supporting investment decisions.
Any organization or individual working in the field of immunization economics can submit findings, opportunities, calls to action, or other relevant work below to be shared with our community.