The New Quadrivalent Adjuvanted Influenza Vaccine for the Italian Elderly: A Health Technology Assessment

Giovanna Elisa Calabrò, Sara Boccalini, Donatella Panatto, Caterina Rizzo, Maria Luisa Di Pietro, Fasika Molla Abreha, Marco Ajelli, Daniela Amicizia, Angela Bechini, Irene Giacchetta, Piero Luigi Lai, Stefano Merler, Chiara Primieri, Filippo Trentini, Sara Violi, Paolo Bonanni and Chiara de Waure
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Giovanna Elisa Calabrò: Section of Hygiene, University Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Sara Boccalini: Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy
Donatella Panatto: Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
Caterina Rizzo: Clinical Pathways and Epidemiology Unit-Medical Direction, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
Maria Luisa Di Pietro: Section of Hygiene, University Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Fasika Molla Abreha: Graduate School of Health Economics and Management, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Marco Ajelli: Laboratory for Computational Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
Daniela Amicizia: Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
Angela Bechini: Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy
Irene Giacchetta: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
Piero Luigi Lai: Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
Stefano Merler: Center for Health Emergencies, Bruno Kessler Foundation, 38122 Trento, Italy
Chiara Primieri: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
Filippo Trentini: Center for Health Emergencies, Bruno Kessler Foundation, 38122 Trento, Italy
Sara Violi: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
Paolo Bonanni: Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy
Chiara de Waure: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-14

Abstract: Background. The elderly, commonly defined as subjects aged ≥65 years, are among the at-risk subjects recommended for annual influenza vaccination in European countries. Currently, two new vaccines are available for this population: the MF59-adjuvanted quadrivalent influenza vaccine (aQIV) and the high-dose quadrivalent influenza vaccine (hdQIV). Their multidimensional assessment might maximize the results in terms of achievable health benefits. Therefore, we carried out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) of the aQIV by adopting a multidisciplinary policy-oriented approach to evaluate clinical, economic, organizational, and ethical implications for the Italian elderly. Methods. A HTA was conducted in 2020 to analyze influenza burden; characteristics, efficacy, and safety of aQIV and other available vaccines for the elderly; cost-effectiveness of aQIV; and related organizational and ethical implications. Comprehensive literature reviews/analyses were performed, and a transmission model was developed in order to address the above issues. Results. In Italy, the influenza burden on the elderly is high and from 77.7% to 96.1% of influenza-related deaths occur in the elderly. All available vaccines are effective and safe; however, aQIV, such as the adjuvanted trivalent influenza vaccine (aTIV), has proved more immunogenic and effective in the elderly. From the third payer’s perspective, but also from the societal one, the use of aQIV in comparison with egg-based standard QIV (eQIV) in the elderly population is cost-effective. The appropriateness of the use of available vaccines as well as citizens’ knowledge and attitudes remain a challenge for a successful vaccination campaign. Conclusions. The results of this project provide decision-makers with important evidence on the aQIV and support with scientific evidence on the appropriate use of vaccines in the elderly.

Keywords: influenza; vaccination; vaccines; Health Technology Assessment; HTA; quadrivalent adjuvanted influenza vaccine; elderly (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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