Dr. Gregory W. Taylor
Chair & Public Health Specialist,
Adult Vaccine Alliance
Ian Culbert
Executive Director,
Canadian Public Health Association
Shelita Dattani
Senior Vice President, Pharmacy Affairs & Strategic Engagement,
Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada
Adult vaccination is a high-impact investment that strengthens public health, boosts productivity, and drives long-term economic growth.
In an uncertain economy, investing in adult vaccines is a strategic and cost-effective decision for Canada. Vaccines remain among the most powerful public health tools — preventing illness, lowering health care costs and helping keep the workforce strong and productive. Yet despite their value, many adults still face barriers to vaccination, including out-of-pocket costs, limited public funding and challenges with access.
As health care leaders navigate ongoing pressures, a well-funded and broadly accessible immunization program is not just essential, but foundational to protecting public health and strengthening Canada’s economy. The Adult Vaccine Alliance (AVA) underscored this in a recent study, The Unmet Value of Vaccines, demonstrating that improving access to recommended adult vaccines enhances both population health and economic resilience.
Vaccinations as a strategic investment
Investing in vaccines delivers measurable economic and health benefits, making immunization one of the most impactful strategies for protecting public health. A 2024 study commissioned by AVA found that every dollar spent on adult vaccines delivers more than three times its value by preventing illness, easing pressure on the health care system and supporting workforce productivity.
Beyond individual protection, vaccines contribute significantly to the broader economy. The same study found that adult immunization generates $2.5 billion annually for Canada’s economy and health care system. Even a modest 10 per cent increase in vaccine uptake could expand these benefits to over $3.1 billion per year, while reaching 80 per cent uptake could unlock as much as $6 billion in savings.
The economic value of vaccines was evident during the pandemic, when immunization programs played a vital role in stabilizing the economy and facilitating Canada’s financial recovery. The return on investment is driven largely by improved workforce productivity and a reduced burden on the health care system.
Less illness. More productivity.
A healthy, reliable workforce is key to economic stability — and vaccines help protect it by preventing illness that leads to missed work or the spread of infection in the workplace. Preventable illnesses—like seasonal influenza—contribute to lost productivity, with studies showing that working adults with flu-like symptoms miss an average of two to five days of work.
Adult vaccination is a powerful tool for protecting workplaces, generating $1.5 billion in labour productivity gains annually by preventing 12 million missed work hours and reducing premature mortality by 3,100 deaths per year. Immunization is not just a public health initiative, it is a critical economic strategy.
Economic benefits to the health care system
Vaccines provide immediate savings by reducing health care costs by hundreds of millions each year. By preventing illness and avoiding costly hospitalizations, immunization programs drive an estimated $514 million in annual savings, including $410 million from reduced hospital admissions alone.
Increased vaccine uptake helps prevent outbreaks and associated complications, allowing health care resources to be allocated more efficiently.
The time to act is now
Momentum is needed now to increase vaccine uptake among adults living in Canada. The evidence is clear that expanding immunization will generate greater value for patients, the health care system and the broader economy.
To unlock the full economic value of adult immunization, Canada must remove barriers and expand access to recommended vaccines. Prioritizing adult vaccination is not just a good health policy—it’s a smart economic strategy.
About AVA
Founded in 2023, the Adult Vaccine Alliance (AVA) is a national coalition of health care experts, researchers, and advocates working to improve access to adult vaccines and highlight their critical role in public health. Since its launch, AVA united leaders in immunization, shared evidence-based information, promoted research, and advocated for enhanced access to vaccines for all adults in Canada.
To learn more about AVA and The Unmet Value of Vaccines in Canada study,
visit: adultvaccinealliance.ca
