[Economic impact of rotavirus vaccination in Panama]

Rotavirus (RV) gastroenteritis (GE) causes a significant health and economic burden in Panama. The main objective of this study is to estimate the healthcare costs and the cost-effectiveness of vaccination in Panama from the societal perspective.

An economic model was constructed, using published epidemiological data, country-specific cost estimates, and vaccine efficacy data. The main outcome measures were disease burden, economic burden and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (US$/DALY and US$/life saved) of vaccination.

In Panama, among children during the first five years of life, it is estimated that due to RV GE, 283 per 1,000 have a clinic visit, 24 per 1,000 are hospitalized, and 0.53 per 1,000 die. For every 1,000 children born, RV infection results in US$16,463 in total costs during their first five years of life. An estimated US$862,388 may be spent annually on treatment of outpatient and hospitalized cases in Panama. Vaccination would prevent 65% of the associated deaths, 68% of hospitalizations, 69% of outpatient visits and 65% of associated DALY (Disability Adjusted Life Years). From the societal perspective, RV vaccination produces a cost-effectiveness ratio of US$487 per DALY when the price of the vaccine is US$7.50 per dose.

Vaccination can effectively reduce the disease burden and healthcare costs of RV GE in Panama.