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Economic evaluation of Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination in Slovenia
M Pokorn1, S Kopac, D Neubauer
1Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Japljeva 2, SI-1525, Ljubljana, Slovenia. marko.pokorn@mf.uni-lj.si
Insights
This study evaluated the economic impact of Haemophilus influenzae type b infections in Slovenia. Vaccination offers significant societal savings, demonstrating its value for routine childhood immunization.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Economics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infections pose a significant health burden, particularly in children under five.
- Slovenia reports an annual incidence of 16.4/100,000 for invasive Hib infections in this age group.
- Assessing the economic impact is crucial for informed public health policy decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the economic impact of invasive Hib infections in Slovenia.
- To compare the costs associated with invasive Hib infections to the costs of a vaccination program.
- To evaluate the cost-effectiveness and societal benefits of Hib vaccination.
Main Methods:
- Lifetime cost-benefit analysis was conducted for an annual birth cohort of 18,200 children.
- Benefit-to-cost ratios were calculated considering various cost savings (acute care, medical, non-medical).
- The perspective of the Institute of Health Insurance of Slovenia was adopted for cost evaluation.
Main Results:
- Benefit-to-cost ratios ranged from 0.15 to 1.38, depending on the scope of cost savings included.
- The vaccination program requires an additional 7,023 EUR per annual birth cohort (0.40 EUR per child).
- Societal savings from vaccination are estimated at 118,410 EUR per annual birth cohort.
Conclusions:
- The Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination program demonstrates a positive return on investment for society.
- The findings strongly support the inclusion of Hib vaccination in Slovenia's routine childhood immunization schedule.
- Vaccination is a cost-effective strategy to reduce the burden of invasive Hib disease.
Abstract:
The objective of the present study was to assess the economical impact of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b infections in Slovenia, where the annual incidence of these infections is 16.4/100000 in children less than 5 years of age, and to compare it with the costs of a vaccination programme. The lifetime costs and benefits were estimated for the annual birth cohort of 18200 children. In the base-case model, the calculated benefit-to-cost ratios were 0.15, 0.98 and 1.38 taking into account 95% of savings in acute care costs, medical costs, and medical and non-medical costs, respectively. From the point of view of the Institute of Health Insurance of Slovenia, who pays all healthcare and vaccination costs, the vaccination programme per annual birth cohort of 18200 children would require an extra 7023 EUR or 0.40 EUR per cohort-child. The savings to society would represent 118410 EUR, indicating the rationale for inclusion of H. influenzae type b vaccination in the routine childhood immunisation programme in Slovenia.