Publicly funded vaccinations for over-65s could have more benefits than just disease prevention

A report commissioned by pharmaceutical company GSK found a schedule of influenza, shingles, and RSV injections would provide an economic benefit of a billion-dollars every four years.

Influenza's already funded, while shingles is funded only for those aged 65 exactly.

An RSV vaccine isn't funded.

Report spokesperson, former Finance Minister Steven Joyce, says in addition to preventing thousands of hospitalisations and GP visits, it would also increase productivity and volunteer contributions.

He says there's so much demand for the health system and government's sink a lot of money into it.