Estimating the economic impact of pneumococcal conjugate, Haemophilus influenzae type b and rotavirus vaccines in India: National and state-level analyses.

BACKGROUND: To support vaccine decision-making we estimated from the societal perspective the potential health impact and costs averted through immunization with three vaccines - Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and rotavirus vaccine (RVV). METHODS: Based on variability in disease burden, strength of health system and economic status, we selected four states in India: Bihar, New Delhi, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. We used secondary data sources to estimate the number of under-5 deaths averted from Hib, pneumococcus and rotavirus in each state and back-calculated the total cases averted. We synthesized available data to estimate the disease burden, treatment cost, caretaker productivity loss and vaccine coverage in each state. A Delphi Survey and roundtable among Indian experts was conducted to reach consensus on model inputs. RESULTS: By scaling up coverage of Hib, PCV and RVV, India could save over US$1 billion (uncertainty range: US$0.9-US$2.4 billion) in economic benefits and avert more than 90,000 needless child deaths each year. An estimated US$1 billion (US$0.9-US$2 billion) or 88% of the total amount of cost savings would be attributable to lost productivity due to premature pneumococcal death. Another US$112.8 million (US$105-297 million), or 10% of the total cost would be accounted by costs related to loss of productivity due to disability as a result of these diseases. Treatment costs of Hib, pneumococcal disease and rotavirus gastroenteritis, would account for US$8.4 million (US$4-12 million) or <1% of the total costs of these diseases. Finally, caretaker productivity loss from seeking care would represent US$1.5 million (US$ 1-4.9 million). Cost savings varied by vaccine, coverage scenarios and states. CONCLUSIONS: Hib, PCV and RVV vaccine introduction in India can result in immediate benefits to the government and households in terms of savings.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of infant pneumococcal vaccination with PHiD-CV in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae and non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) can cause invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD), pneumonia, and acute otitis media (AOM). Both the 10-valent pneumococcal NTHi protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV) and the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-13) are included in the National Immunization Program for infants in Korea. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the 3+1 schedule of PHiD-CV versus that of PCV-13 for National Immunization Program in Korea. METHODS: A published Markov model was adapted to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of vaccinating the 2012 birth cohort with PHiD-CV vs. PCV-13 from the Korean government perspective over 10 y. Best available published data were used for epidemiology, vaccine efficacy and disutilities. Data on incidence and direct medical costs were taken from the national insurance claims database. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to explore the robustness of the results. RESULTS: PHiD-CV was projected to prevent an additional 195,262 cases of pneumococcal diseases and NTHi-related diseases vs. PCV-13, with a substantially greater reduction in NTHi-related AOM and a comparable reduction in IPD and community-acquired pneumonia. Parity-priced PHiD-CV generated a health gain of about 844 quality-adjusted life years and a total cost-saving of approximately 4 million United States Dollars (USD) over 10 y. 93% of probabilistic simulations found PHiD-CV 3+1 to be the dominant vaccine option. CONCLUSION: Compared to PCV-13, PHiD-CV was projected to provide similar prevention against IPD and community-acquired pneumonia but would prevent more cases of AOM. Parity-priced PHiD-CV was anticipated to generate substantial cost-savings and health benefits vs. PCV-13 in Korea.

Budget impact analysis of vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae type b as a part of a Pentavalent vaccine in the childhood immunization schedule of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Health decision makers need to know the impact of the development of a new intervention on the public health and health care costs so that they can plan for economic and financial objectives. The aim of this study was to determine the budget impact of adding Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) as a part of a Pentavalent vaccine (Hib-HBV-DTP) to the national childhood immunization schedule of Iran. METHODS: An excel-based model was developed to determine the costs of including the Pentavalent vaccine in the national immunization program (NIP), comparing the present schedule with the previous one (including separate DTP and hepatitis B vaccines). The total annual costs included the cost of vaccination (the vaccine and syringe) and the cost of Hib treatment. The health outcome was the estimated annual cases of the diseases. The net budget impact was the difference in the total annual cost between the two schedules. Uncertainty about the vaccine effectiveness, vaccination coverage, cost of the vaccine, and cost of the diseases were handled through scenario analysis. RESULTS: The total cost of vaccination during 5 years was $18,060,463 in the previous program and $67,774,786 in the present program. Inclusion of the Pentavalent vaccine would increase the vaccination cost about $49 million, but would save approximately $6 million in the healthcare costs due to reduction of disease cases and treatment costs. The introduction of the Pentavalent vaccine resulted in a net increase in the healthcare budget expenditure across all scenarios from $43.4 million to $50.7 million. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that the inclusion of the Pentavalent vaccine in the NIP of Iran had a significant impact on the health care budget and increased the financial burden on the government. Budget impact of including Pentavalent vaccine in the national immunization schedule of Iranᅟ.

Cost-effectiveness of Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine in Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: With GAVI support, Vietnam introduced Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine in 2010 without evidence on cost-effectiveness. We aimed to analyze the cost-effectiveness of Hib vaccine from societal and governmental perspectives. METHOD: We constructed a decision-tree cohort model to estimate the costs and effectiveness of Hib vaccine versus no Hib vaccine for the 2011 birth cohort. The disease burden was estimated from local epidemiologic data and literature. Vaccine delivery costs were calculated from governmental reports and 2013 vaccine prices. A prospective cost-of-illness study was conducted to estimate treatment costs. The human capital approach was employed to estimate productivity loss. The incremental costs of Hib vaccine were divided by cases, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) averted. We used the WHO recommended cost-effectiveness thresholds of an intervention being highly cost-effective if incremental costs per DALY were below GDP per capita. RESULT: From the societal perspective, incremental costs per discounted case, death and DALY averted were US$ 6252, US$ 26,476 and US$ 1231, respectively; the break-even vaccine price was US$ 0.69/dose. From the governmental perspective, the results were US$ 6954, US$ 29,449, and US$ 1373, respectively; the break-even vaccine price was US$ 0.48/dose. Vietnam's GDP per capita was US$ 1911 in 2013. In deterministic sensitivity analysis, morbidity and mortality parameters were among the most influential factors. In probabilistic sensitivity analysis, Hib vaccine had an 84% and 78% probability to be highly cost-effective from the societal and governmental perspectives, respectively. CONCLUSION: Hib vaccine was highly cost-effective from both societal and governmental perspectives. However, with GAVI support ending in 2016, the government will face a six-fold increase in its vaccine budget at the 2013 vaccine price. The variability of vaccine market prices adds an element of uncertainty. Increased government commitment and improved resource allocation decision making will be necessary to retain Hib vaccine.

Cost-effectiveness of Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine in low- and middle-income countries: regional analysis and assessment of major determinants.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine in low- and middle-income countries and identify the model variables, which are most important for the result. STUDY DESIGN: A static decision tree model was developed to predict incremental costs and health impacts. Estimates were generated for 4 country groups: countries eligible for funding by the GAVI Alliance in Africa and Asia, lower middle-income countries, and upper middle-income countries. Values, including disease incidence, case fatality rates, and treatment costs, were based on international country estimates and the scientific literature. RESULTS: From the societal perspective, it is estimated that the probability of Hib conjugate vaccine cost saving is 34%-53% in Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization eligible African and Asian countries, respectively. In middle-income countries, costs per discounted disability adjusted life year averted are between US$37 and US$733. Variation in vaccine prices and risks of meningitis sequelae and mortality explain most of the difference in results. For all country groups, disease incidence cause the largest part of the uncertainty in the result. CONCLUSIONS: Hib conjugate vaccine is cost saving or highly cost-effective in low- and middle-income settings. This conclusion is especially influenced by the recent decline in Hib conjugate vaccine prices and new data revealing the high costs of lost productivity associated with meningitis sequelae.

Impact and cost-effectiveness of Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccination in India.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the potential health impact and cost-effectiveness of nationwide Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccination in India. STUDY DESIGN: A decision support model was used, bringing together estimates of demography, epidemiology, Hib vaccine effectiveness, Hib vaccine costs, and health care costs. Scenarios favorable and unfavorable to the vaccine were evaluated. State-level analyses indicate where the vaccine might have the greatest impact and value. RESULTS: Between 2012 and 2031, Hib conjugate vaccination is estimated to prevent over 200 000 child deaths (∼1% of deaths in children <5 years of age) in India at an incremental cost of US$127 million per year. From a government perspective, state-level cost-effectiveness ranged from US$192 to US$1033 per discounted disability adjusted life years averted. With the inclusion of household health care costs, cost-effectiveness ranged from US$155-US$939 per discounted disability adjusted life year averted. These values are below the World Health Organization thresholds for cost effectiveness of public health interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Hib conjugate vaccination is a cost-effective intervention in all States of India. This conclusion does not alter with plausible changes in key parameters. Although investment in Hib conjugate vaccination would significantly increase the cost of the Universal Immunization Program, about 15% of the incremental cost would be offset by health care cost savings. Efforts should be made to expedite the nationwide introduction of Hib conjugate vaccination in India.

Cost-effectiveness of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine introduction in the universal immunization schedule in Haryana State, India.

OBJECTIVE: In India, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine introduction in the universal immunization programme requires evidence of its potential health impact and cost-effectiveness, as it is a costly vaccine. Since childhood mortality, vaccination coverage and health service utilization vary across states, the cost-effectiveness of introducing Hib vaccine was studied in Haryana state. METHODOLOGY: A mathematical model was used to compare scenarios with and without Hib vaccination to estimate the cost-effectiveness of Hib vaccine in Haryana from 2010 to 2024. Demographic and National Family Health Surveys were used to estimate vaccination coverage and mortality rates among children under 5. Hib pneumonia, Hib meningitis and invasive Hib disease incidence were based on Indian studies. Vaccine and syringe prices of the UNICEF supply division were used. Cost-effectiveness from government and societal perspectives was calculated as the net incremental cost per unit of health benefit gained [disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted, life years saved, Hib cases averted, Hib deaths averted]. Sensitivity analysis was done using variation in parameter estimates among different states of India. FINDINGS: The incremental cost of Hib vaccine introduction from a government and a societal perspective was estimated to be US$81.4 and US$27.5 million, respectively, from 2010 to 2024. Vaccination of 73.3, 71.6 and 67.4 million children with first, second and third dose of pentavalent vaccine, respectively, would avert 7 067 817 cases, 31 331 deaths and 994 564 DALYs. Incremental cost per DALY averted from a government (US$819) and a societal perspective (US$277) was found to be less than the per capita gross national income of India in 2009. In sensitivity analysis, Hib vaccine introduction remained cost-effective for India. CONCLUSION: Hib vaccine introduction is a cost-effective strategy in India.

Rapid assessment of Hib disease burden in Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: Several countries have applied the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) rapid assessment tool (RAT) to estimate the burden of Hib disease where resources for hospital- or population-based surveillance are limited. In Vietnam, we used the Hib RAT to estimate the burden of Hib pneumonia and meningitis prior to Hib vaccine introduction. METHODS: Laboratory, hospitalization and mortality data were collected for the period January 2004 through December 2005 from five representative hospitals. Based on the WHO Hib RAT protocol, standardized MS Excel spreadsheets were completed to generate meningitis and pneumonia case and death figures. RESULTS: We found 35 to 77 Hib meningitis deaths and 441 to 957 Hib pneumonia deaths among children < 5 years of age annually in Vietnam. Overall, the incidence of Hib meningitis was estimated at 18/100,000 (95% confidence interval, CI, 15.1-21.6). The estimated Hib meningitis incidence in children < 5 years age was higher in Ho Chi Minh City (22.5/100,000 [95% CI, 18.4-27.5]) compared to Hanoi (9.8/100,000 [95% CI, 6.5-14.8]). The Hib RAT suggests that there are a total of 883 to 1,915 cases of Hib meningitis and 4,414 to 9,574 cases of Hib pneumonia per year in Vietnam. CONCLUSIONS: In Hanoi, the estimated incidence of Hib meningitis for children < 5 years of age was similar to that described in previous population-based studies of Hib meningitis conducted from 1999 through 2002. Results from the Hib RAT suggest that there is a substantial, yet unmeasured, disease burden associated with Hib pneumonia in Vietnamese children.

Residual economic burden of Streptococcus pneumoniae- and nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae-associated disease following vaccination with PCV-7: a multicountry analysis.

This paper estimates the annual direct medical and caregiver costs of Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp) and nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi)-associated diseases in children younger than 10 years in Canada, Germany, Mexico, and Norway after vaccination with the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7). Per-episode direct medical costs for treating Sp- and NTHi-associated diseases were summarised from the literature for three countries, and a Delphi panel was used to estimate resource use and the per-episode costs for Mexico. Per-episode or annual costs were inflated to 2008 local currency and converted to 2008 United States (US) dollars using purchasing power parities. The analysis was for 1 year; therefore, costs were not discounted. Sp- and NTHi-associated diseases resulted in current annual national costs of $179-$260 million ($5.43-$7.89 per capita) in Canada, $290-$435 million ($3.53-$5.29 per capita) in Germany, $277-$432 million ($2.59-$4.05 per capita) in Mexico, and $20-$28 million ($4.35-$6.17 per capita) in Norway. Although acute otitis media (AOM) was associated with the lowest per-case costs, it accounted for between 45% and 88% of the national direct medical costs and between 67% and 96% of caregiver costs for Sp- and NTHi-associated diseases. Sp- and NTHi-associated diseases continue to result in substantial direct medical and caregiver costs despite current PCV-7 vaccination programs.

Burden and cost of hospital admissions for vaccine-preventable paediatric pneumococcal disease and non-typable Haemophilus influenzae otitis media in New Zealand.

INTRODUCTION: Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp.) is a leading cause of paediatric bacterial meningitis, pneumonia and acute otitis media, as is non-typable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) for acute otitis media. In 2008, a 7-valent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine (PCV7) was included in the New Zealand (NZ) childhood immunization schedule. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the potentially vaccine-preventable annual hospital admissions and cost to the NZ Government of paediatric admissions for pneumococcal disease and NTHi otitis media prior to the immunization programme. METHODS: Admissions (2000-7) and deaths (2000-5) in children aged<20 years with pneumococcal meningitis or bacteraemia, pneumonia or otitis media were identified in national datasets and linked by unique patient identifiers. New episodes of illness were defined as admissions occurring >30 days after discharge from a previous admission. Informed by the literature, pneumococcal pneumonia episodes were estimated at 33% of all-cause pneumonia admissions; Sp. and NTHi otitis media episodes were estimated jointly at 72% of otitis media admissions. Each episode was assigned a single diagnosis according to the following hierarchy: meningitis>bacteraemia>pneumonia>otitis media. Incidence rates for episodes were determined for 2000-7 (meningitis, bacteraemia and pneumonia) and 2006-7 (otitis media). Annual DRG-based costs for pneumococcal meningitis, bacteraemia, pneumonia and otitis media were estimated as (episode rate)x(DRG cost weight per episode)x(2007 population)x(national price per cost weight). RESULTS: Episode rates for pneumococcal meningitis, bacteraemia and pneumonia were stable in 2000-7, highest in the second 6 months of life and declined steeply over the first 5 years of life. Mean rates per 100000 in 2000-7 were 18.4, 27.6 and 464 for pneumococcal meningitis, bacteraemia and pneumonia, respectively, for children aged<2 years; 8.4, 14.9 and 295 for children aged<5 years (including those aged<2 years); and 2.2, 4.4 and 97 for children aged<20 years (including those aged<5 years). Mean rates per 100000 in 2006-7 for Sp. and NTHi otitis media combined were 631 (surgical) and 197 (medical) for children aged<2 years; 691 and 116 for children aged<5 years; and 281 and 35 for children aged<20 years. Pacific Island and indigenous Maori children generally had higher rates than European/other children. Rates increased with socioeconomic disadvantage, across all diagnoses. The annual cost to Government of pneumococcal disease and NTHi otitis media admissions for children aged<20 years was estimated at New Zealand dollars ($NZ)9.95 million (range 7.7-12.2 million) [about $US7.1 million]. Most of this cost was shared between pneumococcal pneumonia (48%) and otitis media (45%), and 78% was incurred in the first 2 years of life. Estimated annual paediatric mortality rates per 100 000 for children aged<5 years were 0.48, 0.30 and 0.54 for pneumococcal meningitis, bacteraemia and pneumonia, respectively. The analysis predicted four or five pneumococcal deaths per year (range 1-8) for children aged<5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Prior to the introduction of a national Sp. immunization programme, hospital admissions for Sp. disease and NTHi otitis media in NZ cost about $NZ10 million annually, mostly for children aged<2 years and particularly for those living in relative socioeconomic deprivation and for Pacific Island and Maori children. There were about five pneumococcal deaths annually. With adjustment for local serotypes, vaccine serotype coverage and uptake, immunization with any of the three available pneumococcal vaccines would reduce this burden substantially.

A low-cost approach to measure the burden of vaccine preventable diseases in urban areas.

We piloted a low-cost approach to measure the disease burden of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Hib and Salmonella Typhi by leveraging the existing infrastructure of high performing microbiology laboratories at two large paediatric hospitals in Dhaka Bangladesh, and assessing the hospital utilization of the catchment population of these hospitals for different syndromes. S. Typhi was the most common bacterium identified in culture and accounted for an estimated 211 hospitalizations per 100,000 children <5 years of age per year. Meningitis due to S. pneumoniae was the most common cause of mortality accounting for 8.0 deaths per 100,000 children <5 years of age per year. This low-cost approach can provide data to support vaccine introduction and the health impact of newly introduced vaccines.

Modeling the impact of a new vaccine on pneumococcal and nontypable Haemophilus influenzae diseases: a new simulation model.

BACKGROUND: A heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) is available to immunize infants against pneumococcal disease. However, a recently developed vaccine, pneumococcal nontypable Haemophilus influenzae protein D-conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV), has recently been licensed. PHiD-CV contains 3 additional Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes and may provide protection against nontypable H influenzae (NTHi) infection. New health economic models are required to model the impact of PHiD-CV and compare its effectiveness with PCV-7. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this article was to design a model capable of projecting the pneumococcal and NTHi disease burden on the entire UK population under different schedules of PCV-7 and PHiD-CV. This model should also be capable of modeling the net indirect effect of vaccination (ie, the sum of serotype replacement and herd protection). METHODS: A static, deterministic, age-compartmental model was created based on published information and the input of a board of experts in pneumococcal disease. The model presents results from both a payer-based and societal perspective. A 1-way sensitivity analysis was used to demonstrate the robustness of the model. Key parameters included the case fatality ratio for bacteremia, the hospitalization rate for acute otitis media (AOM), and parameters surrounding the extent of the net indirect effect of vaccination. RESULTS: Excluding net indirect effect, 325 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), 619 hospitalizations for pneumonia, and 9016 general practitioner visits for AOM would be prevented annually with the current PCV-7 2 + 1 program. These numbers would increase to 374, 755, and 30,920, respectively, using a PHiD-CV 2 + 1 regimen, or to 503, 994, and 47,180 using a PHiD-CV 3 + 1 regimen. When a net indirect effect of 38% is considered, health benefits could be much larger; 2417, 2451, and 3045 IPD cases would be prevented in the 3 scenarios, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: It is predicted that any vaccination program in the United Kingdom would have a striking impact on the incidence of all outcomes analyzed. A PHiD-CV 3 + 1 schedule is predicted to have a greater effect than PCV-7 in all scenarios. While the primary purpose of vaccination would be to prevent IPD and pneumonia hospitalizations, an additional benefit would be a noticeable reduction in AOM incidence. While the predictions made by the model were based on informed reasoning, all of its projected estimations remain approximations that are dependent on the inputs used to configure it, a limitation that is common to all simulation models.

Economic evaluations of Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine: systematic review of the literature.

With the arrival of new, more expensive vaccines, economic evaluation has become an important tool for assessing the feasibility of introducing a new vaccine into a country's routine immunization schedule. Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine has been available since the early 1990s, but uptake of the vaccine was slow in low-income countries until the GAVI Alliance started offering financial support for it. However, at some point, GAVI Alliance-supported countries will have to identify other sources of financing for Hib vaccine, meaning cost-effectiveness evidence will be important to support resource allocation decisions. Several middle-income countries have not yet introduced the vaccine. Thus, the aim of this literature review was to identify and evaluate the published evidence on the cost-effectiveness of the Hib vaccine, with particular emphasis on low- and middle-income countries. It is concluded that there are only few studies available from resource-poor countries and some of these are of low quality.

New vaccines against otitis media: projected benefits and cost-effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE: New vaccines that offer protection against otitis media caused by nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae and by Moraxella catarrhalis are under development. However, the potential health benefits and economic effects of such candidate vaccines have not been systematically assessed. METHODS: We created a computerized model to compare the projected benefits and costs of (1) the currently available 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, (2) a candidate pneumococcal-nontypeable H influenzae vaccine that has been tested in Europe, (3) a hypothetical pneumococcal-nontypeable H influenzae-Moraxella vaccine, and (4) no vaccination. The clinical probabilities of acute otitis media and of otitis media with effusion were generated from multivariate analyses of data from 2 large health maintenance organizations and from the Pittsburgh Child Development/Otitis Media Study cohort. Other probabilities, costs, and quality-of-life values were derived from published and unpublished sources. The base-case analysis assumed vaccine dose costs of $65 for the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, $100 for the pneumococcal-nontypeable H influenzae vaccine, and $125 for the pneumococcal-nontypeable H influenzae-Moraxella vaccine. RESULTS: With no vaccination, we projected that 13.7 million episodes of acute otitis media would occur annually in US children aged 0 to 4 years, at an annual cost of $3.8 billion. The 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was projected to prevent 878,000 acute otitis media episodes, or 6.4% of those that would occur with no vaccination; the corresponding value for the pneumococcal-nontypeable H influenzae vaccine was 3.7 million (27%) and for the pneumococcal-nontypeable H influenzae-Moraxella vaccine was 4.2 million (31%). Using the base-case vaccine costs, pneumococcal-nontypeable H influenzae vaccine use would result in net savings compared with nontypeable 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate use. Conversely, pneumococcal-nontypeable H influenzae-Moraxella vaccine use would not result in savings compared with pneumococcal-nontypeable H influenzae vaccine use, but would cost $48 000 more per quality-adjusted life-year saved. The results were sensitive to variations in assumptions on vaccine effectiveness and vaccine dose costs but not to variations in other assumptions. CONCLUSIONS: New candidate vaccines against otitis media have the potential to prevent millions of disease episodes in the United States annually. If priced comparably with other recently introduced vaccines, these new otitis vaccines could achieve cost-effectiveness comparable with or more favorable than that of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

Cost-benefit analysis of haemophilus influenzae type B immunization in Korea.

An economic evaluation of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) immunization was conducted to examine whether Hib immunization should be included in Korea's national immunization program. The costs and benefits included direct and indirect values and an estimation of the economic efficiency. We determined that a universal Hib immunization program in Korea would prevent 17 deaths and 280 invasive Hib cases. When we assumed the one Hib immunization cost as 26,000 won, the national Hib immunization would cost 34.6 billion won. Costs for various Hib diseases were estimated at 26.8 billion won (11.8 billion won from direct costs and 14.9 billion won from indirect costs). A benefit-cost ratio of 0.77 showed that the economic efficiency of the integration of Hib immunization in Korea is low because of the low incidence rate of Hib disease and high price of vaccine. However, if the Hib immunization cost decrease to less than 20,000 won, a benefit-cost ratio increase to 1.0 and above, integrating Hib immunization into the national immunization program with economic efficiency can be considered.

Relación costo-efectividad de la vacuna contra Haemophilus influenzae tipo b en niños menores de dos años de edad en Colombia / The cost-effectiveness of Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine for children under 2 years of age in Colombia

OBJETIVOS: Las vacunas conjugadas contra Haemophilus influenzae tipo b (Hib) son la herramienta más importante para prevenir la mayoría de las enfermedades invasoras producidas por dicho patógeno, pero debido a su costo, aún no se han introducido mundialmente de manera masiva. En el presente estudio se determinó la relación costo-efectividad de una vacuna contra Hib para prevenir la neumonía y la meningitis bacterianas en niños menores de 2 años en Colombia. MÉTODOS: Se estimaron los costos directos e indirectos de la neumonía y la meningitis hospitalaria y siguiendo las recomendaciones de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), la relación costo-efectividad de los programas de vacunación contra Hib. Se estimaron también las razones de costos por caso evitado de enfermedad invasora por Hib y el costo por año de vida salvado en dos situaciones hipotéticas: con vacunación contra Hib (cobertura vacunal: 90 por ciento) y sin vacunación. RESULTADOS: El costo medio del tratamiento hospitalario de un caso de neumonía fue de 611,5 dólares estadounidenses (US$) (intervalo de confianza del 95 por ciento [IC95 por ciento]: 532,2 - 690,8), el costo medio del tratamiento hospitalario de un caso de meningitis fue de US$ 848,9 (IC95 por ciento: 716,8 - 981,0) y el costo por caso evitado de enfermedad invasora por Hib, de US$ 316,7 (IC95 por ciento: 294,2 - 339,2). La relación costo-efectividad en la hipótesis con vacunación fue de 2,38, frente a 3,81 en la hipótesis sin vacunación. CONCLUSION: La aplicación de un programa adecuado de vacunación contra Hib en Colombia puede prevenir cerca de 25 000 casos de enfermedad invasora por año, lo que representa un ahorro de por lo menos US$ 15 millones anuales. Además, puede evitar cerca de 700 defunciones y salvar anualmente 44 054 años de vida.

OBJECTIVE: Conjugate vaccines are the best public health tools available for preventing most invasive diseases caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), but the high cost of the vaccines has so far kept them from being introduced worldwide. The objective of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of introducing Hib conjugate vaccines for the prevention of meningitis and pneumonia among children under 2 years of age in Colombia. METHODS: We estimated the direct and indirect costs of managing in-hospital pneumonia and meningitis cases. In addition, following the recommendations of the World Health Organization, we assessed the cost-effectiveness of Hib vaccination programs. We also estimated the costs for preventing Hib cases, and the cost per year of life saved in two hypothetical situations: (1) with vaccination against Hib (with 90 percent coverage) and (2) without vaccination. RESULTS: The average in-hospital treatment costs were US$ 611.50 (95 percent confidence interval (95 percent CI) = US$ 532.2 to US$ 690.8) per case of pneumonia and US$ 848.9 (95 percent CI = US$ 716.8 to US$ 981.0) per case of meningitis. The average cost per Hib case prevented was US$ 316.7 (95 percent CI = US$ 294.2 to US$ 339.2). In terms of cost-effectiveness, the cost would be US$ 2.38 per year of life saved for vaccination, versus US$ 3.81 per year of life saved without vaccination. CONCLUSION: Having an adequate Hib vaccination program in Colombia could prevent around 25 000 cases of invasive disease per year, representing a cost savings of at least US$ 15 million annually. Furthermore, the program could prevent some 700 deaths per year and save 44 054 years of life per year.

[The cost-effectiveness of Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine for children under 2 years of age in Colombia]. / Relación costo-efectividad de la vacuna contra Haemophilus influenzae tipo b en niños menores de dos años de edad en Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: Conjugate vaccines are the best public health tools available for preventing most invasive diseases caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), but the high cost of the vaccines has so far kept them from being introduced worldwide. The objective of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of introducing Hib conjugate vaccines for the prevention of meningitis and pneumonia among children under 2 years of age in Colombia. METHODS: We estimated the direct and indirect costs of managing in-hospital pneumonia and meningitis cases. In addition, following the recommendations of the World Health Organization, we assessed the cost-effectiveness of Hib vaccination programs. We also estimated the costs for preventing Hib cases, and the cost per year of life saved in two hypothetical situations: (1) with vaccination against Hib (with 90% coverage) and (2) without vaccination. RESULTS: The average in-hospital treatment costs were 611.50 US$ (95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 532.2 to 690.8 US$) per case of pneumonia and 848.9 US$ (95% CI = 716.8 to 981.0 US$) per case of meningitis. The average cost per Hib case prevented was 316.7 US$ (95% CI = 294.2 to 339.2 US$). In terms of cost-effectiveness, the cost would be 2.38 US$ per year of life saved for vaccination, versus 3.81 US$ per year of life saved without vaccination. CONCLUSION: Having an adequate Hib vaccination program in Colombia could prevent around 25,000 cases of invasive disease per year, representing a cost savings of at least 15 million US$ annually. Furthermore, the program could prevent some 700 deaths per year and save 44,054 years of life per year.