The Epidemiological and Economic Burden of Vaccine-Preventable Respiratory Diseases Among Adults Aged 65 Years and Older in the Nordic Countries
TL;DR
Despite national vaccination efforts, VPRDs remain a major health and economic burden in the Nordic countries and strengthening immunization programs through improved vaccine uptake, broader coverage, and use of advanced vaccines may contribute to further reducing this burden.
Abstract
Background: Despite the increasing availability of tailored vaccines, vaccine-preventable respiratory diseases (VPRDs), including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, and pneumococcal disease (PD), continue to impose a significant health and economic burden. This study assessed the epidemiological and economic burden of VPRD among adults aged ≥65 across four Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland). Methods: Data on incidence, hospital admissions, and mortality were obtained from national statistics (week 21, 2024–week 20, 2025) and supplemented with peer-reviewed literature. A static model was developed to quantify epidemiological and economic burden associated with VPRD during the 2024/2025 winter season. Results: During the 2024/2025 season, VPRD resulted in approximately 830,000 symptomatic cases, 60,300 hospital admissions, and 7750 deaths across the Nordic countries. COVID-19 showed the highest estimated incidence and numbers of hospital admissions, followed by influenza, PD, and RSV. Mortality was comparable between COVID-19 and influenza, followed by PD and RSV. Annual healthcare costs were approximately €1132 million, with productivity losses constituting an additional 7%. Conclusions: Despite national vaccination efforts, VPRDs remain a major health and economic burden in the Nordic countries. Strengthening immunization programs through improved vaccine uptake, broader coverage, and use of advanced vaccines may contribute to further reducing this burden.