Modeling the Cost-Effectiveness of the Next-Generation COVID-19 mRNA-1283 Vaccine in the United States

AimsCOVID-19 disease burden in United States (US) adults [≥]65 years and persons with underlying medical conditions remains high. This modeling study estimates the cost-effectiveness of the next-generation COVID-19 mRNA-1283 vaccine in those ages 12-64 at high-risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes and all adults [≥]65 years. MethodsmRNA-1283 was compared to no annual vaccination and originally licensed mRNA vaccines mRNA-1273 and BNT162b2. Analyses were conducted using a static decision-analytic model (1-year horizon). Vaccine effectiveness (VE) against infection and hospitalization for mRNA-1283 versus no vaccination was based on relative VE (rVE) from the Phase 3 pivotal randomized controlled trial comparing mRNA-1283 against mRNA-1273 and mRNA-1273 real-world data. rVE estimates for mRNA-1283 versus BNT162b2 were based on an indirect treatment comparison. The societal incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained and the benefit cost ratio (BCR) were calculated. ResultsDuring the 2025/2026 season, a single dose of mRNA-1283 was estimated to yield an incremental cost per QALY gained of $16,241 compared to no vaccine. The BCR for the base case strategy ranged from 2.16-9.74 USD returned for one dollar spent for mRNA-1283. mRNA-1283 was shown to dominate originally licensed COVID-19 vaccines in analyses of the target population. Results are sensitive to COVID-19 incidence, hospitalization rates, post-discharge mortality rates, and VE. LimitationsThe real-world effectiveness and safety of mRNA-1283 have not yet been established and relative VE estimates should be validated with real-world data. 2025/2026 COVID-19 incidence and vaccine uptake in the US is uncertain. ConclusionsStudy results suggest mRNA-1283 represents a highly cost-effective strategy (considering a $100,000-150,000 per QALY willingness-to-pay threshold) to reduce burden of COVID-19 among the target population. Given the finding of mRNA-1283 dominance in this population compared to originally approved mRNA vaccines, mRNA-1283 provides a valuable option to optimize US COVID-19 immunization programs and protect those most vulnerable.