New publication: Health impact and cost-effectiveness of COVID-19 booster vaccination strategies in the early post-Omicron era: a dynamic modelling study

A new study published in BMJ Global Health: “Health impact and cost-effectiveness of COVID-19 booster vaccination strategies in the early post-Omicron era: a dynamic modelling study” evaluated booster strategies across the Western Pacific Region using linked immunological, transmission, clinical, and cost-effectiveness models.

Results showed that prioritising annual boosters for older adults consistently offered the best value for money, with a high probability of being cost-effective or cost-saving across both high- and middle-income settings. In contrast, paediatric booster programs were unlikely to be cost-effective under early post-Omicron conditions. The findings highlight that focusing vaccination on older populations delivers the greatest health gains relative to costs, providing important guidance for countries navigating vaccination priorities in the post-Omicron era.

Importantly, the findings from this study directly informed the 2023 World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) roadmap on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in the Omicron context, supporting global decision-making on vaccination policy.

The cost-effectiveness analyses were led by our CEA team – A/Prof Natalie Carvalho, Edifofon Akpan, Patrick Abraham, and Yingying (Cyan) Wang – working closely with colleagues and collaborators. We are especially grateful to Dr.Thao P. Le and Prof Jodie McVernon for their leadership and vision in steering this work.

You can read the full text of the study here.

The modelling used in this analysis is openly available on Github.