Systematic review of incremental non-vaccine cost estimates used in cost-effectiveness analysis on the introduction of rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccines.

OBJECTIVE: To review the approaches used in the cost-effectiveness analysis (CEAs) literature to estimate the cost of expanded program on immunization (EPI) activities, other than vaccine purchase, for rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccines. METHODS: A systematic review in PubMed and NHS EED databases of rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccines CEAs was done. Selected articles were read and information on how EPI costs were calculated was extracted. EPI costing approaches were classified according to the method or assumption used for estimation. RESULTS: Seventy-nine studies that evaluated cost effectiveness of rotavirus (n=43) or pneumococcal (n=36) vaccines were identified. In general, there are few details on how EPI costs other than vaccine procurement were estimated. While 30 studies used some measurement of that cost, only one study on pneumococcal vaccine used a primary cost evaluation (bottom-up costing analysis) and one study used a costing tool. Twenty-seven studies (17 on rotavirus and 10 on pneumococcal vaccine) assumed the non-vaccine costs. Five studies made no reference to additional costs. Fourteen studies (9 rotavirus and 5 pneumococcal) did not consider any additional EPI cost beyond vaccine procurement. For rotavirus studies, the median for non-vaccine cost per dose was US$0.74 in developing countries and US$6.39 in developed countries. For pneumococcal vaccines, the median for non-vaccine cost per dose was US$1.27 in developing countries and US$8.71 in developed countries. CONCLUSIONS: Many pneumococcal (52.8%) and rotavirus (60.4%) cost-effectiveness analyses did not consider additional EPI costs or used poorly supported assumptions. Ignoring EPI costs in addition to those for vaccine procurement in CEA analysis of new vaccines may lead to significant errors in the estimations of ICERs since several factors like personnel, cold chain, or social mobilization can be substantially affected by the introduction of new vaccines.

The effect of guideline variations on the implementation of active management of the third stage of labor.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether healthcare providers performed active management of the third stage of labor (AMTSL) as defined by FIGO/ICM and WHO, and as described by the Cochrane Collaboration. METHODS: In a prospective observational study, a questionnaire regarding knowledge of AMTSL was administered to healthcare providers in the largest maternity teaching center in Colombia. It was subsequently observed whether and how the healthcare providers performed AMTSL in practice. The percentage of correct use of AMTSL was calculated. RESULTS: Healthcare providers indicated they knew what AMTSL was but disagreed on the timing of prophylactic oxytocin use. In total, 241 deliveries were observed. Oxytocin at varying doses and routes was used in 239 (99.2%) deliveries. In all deliveries, the umbilical cord was clamped early. In 49 (20.3%) deliveries, controlled cord traction was performed. Uterine massage was carried out in 213 (88.4%) deliveries. According to the FIGO/ICM and WHO definitions, and the Cochrane Collaboration description, correct use of AMTSL occurred in 0.8%, 0.0%, and 8.3%, of cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: Correct use of AMTSL is low at the largest maternity teaching center in Colombia. There is an urgent need for a single definition of AMTSL, which could be used globally for research, training, and scaling-up the performance of AMTSL.

[Epidemiological and economic impact of tetanus vaccination in Colombian adults]. / Impacto epidemiológico y económico de la vacunación contra el tétanos en adultos de Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the potential epidemiological and economic impact of vaccinating the over-15 Colombian population against tetanus with a booster dose every 10 years. METHODS: A cost-effectiveness analysis of tetanus vaccination with a booster dose every 10 years was conducted in Colombia and compared with the current strategy (2, 4, 6, 18, and 60 months). Estimates of the burden of disease were based on three official data sources. A Markov model from the perspective of the third party payer was developed. The time horizon was the lifetime of a person. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted. RESULTS: In Colombia, 30 to 48 cases of tetanus resulting in 9.6 to 10.1 deaths are reported each year. Although booster vaccination for the entire population was cost-effective (the cost per disability-adjusted life year [DALY] avoided was US$ 11,314 in the entire population), gender-based differentiation of the results showed that it would not be cost-effective in women (cost per DALY avoided was US$ 4,903 in men and US$ 22,332 in women). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study that evaluates the cost-effectiveness of a tetanus vaccine booster dose every 10 years in a developing country. Use of this measure would be cost-effective in Colombia, especially for men. As a result of the gender-based differences in the results, any decision about its use in women of childbearing age should take current vaccination into account.

Impacto epidemiológico y económico de la vacunación contra el tétanos en adultos de Colombia / Epidemiological and economic impact of tetanus vaccination in Colombian adults

OBJETIVO: Evaluar el potencial impacto epidemiológico y económico de la vacunación antitetánica en la población colombiana mayor de 15 años de edad, con dosis de refuerzo cada 10 años. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un análisis de costo-efectividad de la vacunación con refuerzo cada 10 años contra el tétanos en Colombia, comparándola con la actual estrategia (2, 4, 6, 18 y 60 meses). La carga de enfermedad se estimó con base en tres fuentes oficiales de datos. Se realizó un modelo de Markov desde la perspectiva del tercer pagador. El horizonte temporal fue el tiempo de vida de una persona. Se realizaron análisis de sensibilidad determinístico y probabilístico. RESULTADOS: En Colombia se notifican anualmente entre 30 y 48 casos de tétanos que ocasionan entre 9,6 y 10,1 muertes. Si bien la vacunación con refuerzo resultó costo-efectiva para toda la población (el costo por año de vida ajustado por discapacidad [AVAD] evitado fue de US$ 11 314 en toda la población), al discriminar los resultados por género no sería costoefectiva en las mujeres (el costo por AVAD evitado en hombres fue de US$ 4 903, y en mujeres de US$ 22 332). CONCLUSIONES: Este es el primer estudio que evalúa la costo- efectividad de una dosis de refuerzo cada 10 años de la vacuna contra el tétanos en un país en desarrollo. La aplicación de esta medida sería costo-efectiva en Colombia, especialmente para los hombres. Las diferencias en los resultados por género obliga a que cualquier decisión de implementación deba tener en cuenta la vacunación actual en mujeres en edad fértil.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the potential epidemiological and economic impact of vaccinating the over-15 Colombian population against tetanus with a booster dose every 10 years. METHODS: A cost-effectiveness analysis of tetanus vaccination with a booster dose every 10 years was conducted in Colombia and compared with the current strategy (2, 4, 6, 18, and 60 months). Estimates of the burden of disease were based on three official data sources. A Markov model from the perspective of the third party payer was developed. The time horizon was the lifetime of a person. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted. RESULTS: In Colombia, 30 to 48 cases of tetanus resulting in 9.6 to 10.1 deaths are reported each year. Although booster vaccination for the entire population was cost-effective (the cost per disability-adjusted life year [DALY] avoided was US$ 11,314 in the entire population), gender-based differentiation of the results showed that it would not be cost-effective in women (cost per DALY avoided was US$ 4,903 in men and US$ 22,332 in women). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study that evaluates the cost-effectiveness of a tetanus vaccine booster dose every 10 years in a developing country. Use of this measure would be cost-effective in Colombia, especially for men. As a result of the gender-based differences in the results, any decision about its use in women of childbearing age should take current vaccination into account.

Cost-effectiveness of the introduction of the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in elderly Colombian population.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae causes community-acquired pneumonia, otitis media and meningitis, with higher incidences at the extremes of life. PPV-23 vaccine is widely used in prevention of pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease in older adults in developed countries. We developed an evaluation of cost-effectiveness of implementing PPV-23 in Colombian population over 60 years. METHODS: The number of cases of pneumonia and meningitis in patients over 60 years and the proportion by S. pneumoniae was estimated based on a review of literature. A decision tree model with a 5-year time horizon was built to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the implementation of the PPV-23 in this population. Direct health care costs of out- and in-patients were calculated based on expenditure records from the Bogota public health system. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios per life saved and per year of life gained were estimated based on the decision tree model. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS: Without vaccination 4460 (range 2384-8162) bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonias and 141 (range 73-183) pneumococcal meningitis would occur among people over 60 years old in Colombia. In the first year, vaccination with PPV-23 at US$8/dose would save 480 (range 100-1753) deaths due to Invasive and non-invasive pneumococcal disease. Vaccination would results in US$3400/deaths averted (range US$1028-10,862) and US$1514/life years gained (range US$408-5404). CONCLUSION: Vaccination with PPV-23 in over 60 years is a highly cost-effective public health measure in Colombia. Despite some limitations, the results are robust, and may help developing countries to perform informed decisions about the introduction of the vaccine.