The cost-utility of rotavirus vaccination with Rotarix (RIX4414) in the Netherlands

The objective of this study was to estimate the cost-utility of mass vaccination of 0-4-year-old children with Rotarix in the Netherlands. We used a Markov process with Dutch data on incidence, resource use and costs (GP, hospitalisation, productivity loss and household costs) to compare vaccination to conventional treatment from a societal perspective. Utility loss due to rotavirus-induced diarrhoea was measured using EQ5D, with GPs and paediatricians serving as proxies to fill out the questions. As the costs of a vaccination course ranged from 90 euro to 100 euro per child, the cost-utility ratio varied from 21,900 euro to 35,076 euro per QALY gained. Based on the current study, it is clear that mass vaccination with Rotarix against rotavirus gastroenteritis can be attractive, from an economic and a health care perspective.