Improved influenza vaccines: full value vaccine assessment

Overview

Seasonal influenza remains a major global public health challenge, causing substantial morbidity and mortality each year. The World Health Organization (WHO) conducted the Full Value of Improved Influenza Vaccine Assessment (FVIVA) to evaluate the health, economic, and policy impacts of next-generation influenza vaccines and identify barriers to their uptake.

The FVIVA examines the vaccine development pipeline, quantifies projected health and economic benefits, assesses financial viability for manufacturers, and identifies country preferences and implementation challenges. It provides a basis to guide investment, policy decisions, and introduction strategies – supporting stronger seasonal programs and enhanced pandemic preparedness.

Using a mixed-methods approach – including literature review, stakeholder engagement, and quantitative modeling – the FVIVA estimates that broad use of improved vaccines could prevent 6.6–18 billion additional influenza cases, 2.3–6.2 million deaths, and 21–57 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally between 2025 and 2050. Economic modeling suggests cost-effectiveness of such vaccines in 9–48% of countries at the lowest assumed price point. The FVVA furthermore describes the proposed financial value to develop and commercialize improved influenza vaccines, in both established and emerging markets.

The FVIVA emphasizes that collaboration among developers, manufacturers, donors, multilateral organizations, and policymakers is essential to maximize public health impact and strengthen global pandemic preparedness.