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Cost-effectiveness of universal pneumococcal vaccination for infants in Italy

M Marchetti1, G L Colombo

  • 1Laboratory of Medical Epidemiology, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, viale Golgi 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy. marchettim@smatteo.pv.it

Vaccine
|July 5, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Universal infant vaccination with seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) in Italy is projected to prevent infections and deaths. The analysis indicates PCV-7 vaccination is highly cost-effective, offering significant health and economic benefits.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Health Economics
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) are crucial for preventing invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD).
  • Estimating the long-term health and economic impact of infant vaccination programs is essential for resource allocation.
  • Italy's national health system (NHS) requires robust data to evaluate new vaccine introductions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate the health and economic outcomes of universal infant vaccination with seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) in Italy.
  • To assess the cost-effectiveness of PCV-7 from both societal and NHS perspectives.
  • To inform policy decisions regarding PCV-7 implementation in the Italian national immunization program.

Main Methods:

  • A Markov model was developed to simulate the lifetime health and economic consequences for a cohort of 538,138 infants.
  • The model incorporated data on disease incidence, vaccine efficacy, and healthcare costs.
  • Cost-effectiveness analysis was performed, calculating the cost per life year saved.

Main Results:

  • Universal three-dose PCV-7 vaccination is estimated to avert 769 invasive infections, 18 deaths, and 1323 life years.
  • Base-case cost-effectiveness ratios were €26,449 (societal) and €38,286 (NHS) per life year saved.
  • Under regional incidence assumptions (Veneto and Sardinia), PCV-7 vaccination demonstrated high cost-effectiveness, with costs of €10,479 (NHS) and €16,890 (societal) per life year saved.

Conclusions:

  • Universal infant vaccination with PCV-7 in Italy is projected to yield substantial health gains and be highly cost-effective.
  • The findings support the integration of PCV-7 into the routine infant immunization schedule.
  • Economic evaluations highlight the long-term value of PCV-7, particularly when considering regional disease burden.

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