The Economic Case for Life-Course Immunization in Thailand

This white paper—published by ThinkWell with funding from MSD—presents an economic and policy analysis of Thailand’s immunization landscape, examining demographic trends, disease burden, and health system pressures to make the case for expanding the National Immunization Program (NIP) across the life course. Drawing on epidemiological evidence, economic modeling, and country and international case studies, the paper outlines the health, economic, and societal returns of broader immunization coverage and proposes financing and policy solutions to support implementation.

Key findings and insights

• Thailand is rapidly aging, with nearly 30% of the population projected to be over 65 by 2050, increasing pressure on healthcare systems and public finances.
• Despite strong childhood immunization coverage (>90%), significant gaps remain in adolescent and adult vaccination, including low influenza coverage (47% among older adults) and exclusion of vaccines such as pneumococcal and RSV from the NIP.
• Vaccine-preventable diseases (e.g., HPV, influenza, RSV, dengue) impose substantial health and economic burdens, including high treatment costs and productivity losses.
• Expanding immunization delivers strong economic returns, including reduced healthcare costs, increased workforce productivity, and potential tax revenue gains.
• Increasing influenza vaccination coverage among high-risk groups to 80% could save Thailand approximately THB 1.4 billion annually.
• The report proposes five key financing strategies: strengthening subnational procurement, innovating procurement mechanisms, leveraging the Elderly Welfare Fund, mobilizing the private sector, and piloting capped copayments.

Thumbnail image credit:  Joanna Wojcicka on Unsplash