Economic Burden of RSV-Associated Hospitalizations in Switzerland: A Nationwide Analysis (2017–2023)

Background/Objectives: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory illness across the lifespan, yet its health-economic burden in adults remains under-recognized. Building on a previously published nationwide analysis of RSV-associated hospitalizations in Switzerland (2017–2023), this study aimed to estimate age-specific direct inpatient hospitalization costs and assess their implications for healthcare systems. Methods: We conducted a nationwide health-economic analysis using Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO) hospitalization data (2017–2023) combined with SwissDRG-based cost statistics (2024). Age-specific costs per hospitalization were applied to RSV-associated hospitalization counts. To account for disease severity, additional estimates were derived by applying RSV-specific length-of-stay (LOS) ratios between RSV-associated and all-cause hospitalizations, reflecting the longer duration of RSV-associated admissions. Results: Total RSV-associated hospitalization costs were estimated at CHF 55.1–76.0 million annually. Children aged 0–9 years accounted for the highest number of hospitalizations and the largest share of total costs (CHF 27.8–34.3 million). Despite fewer hospitalizations, adults aged ≥ 60 years generated comparable total costs (CHF 23.6–36.7 million), driven by substantially higher costs per case. Costs increased markedly with age, reflecting longer hospital stays and higher clinical severity. Additional analyses demonstrated a substantial increase in costs in the post-pandemic period, particularly in older adults, suggesting improved detection of RSV-associated hospitalizations. Conclusions: RSV-associated hospitalizations impose a substantial economic burden on the Swiss healthcare system. The disproportionate contribution of older adults highlights the importance of targeted prevention strategies and provides a foundation for future health-economic evaluations and policy decision-making.