The cost-effectiveness of a hypothetical respiratory syncytial virus vaccine in the elderly.

To determine if specific levels of vaccine cost and effectiveness exist that would support eventual respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine use in the elderly, a cost-effectiveness study was conducted comparing yearly administration of a hypothetical RSV vaccine among the 65-year-old US cohort to medical management of disease. Using base case assumptions - including a vaccine effectiveness against RSV-related hospitalization and death of 80% and a vaccine cost of US$33 - vaccine would result in 0.7 additional days of healthy life at a cost of US$9.82 per person. The cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained equaled US$5342 and remained reasonable over a wide range of vaccine cost and effectiveness. RSV vaccine would be cost-effective for the elderly population, with cost-effectiveness ratios similar to those for influenza vaccine.