Cost-effectiveness analysis of a universal rotavirus immunization program in Japan

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Vaccinology
• Health Economics

Background:

• Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in young children globally.
• The cost-effectiveness of rotavirus vaccination in Japan was previously unevaluated.
• Anticipation of rotavirus vaccine licensure necessitated a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of rotavirus vaccine introduction in Japan.
• To assess the economic impact of rotavirus-associated hospitalizations and outpatient visits.
• To determine the value of universal rotavirus immunization from healthcare and societal perspectives.

Main Methods:

• A Markov model was developed to simulate rotavirus disease burden.
• Calculated direct medical costs, indirect costs, and quality-adjusted life year (QALY) loss.
• Assessed cost-effectiveness using incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) per QALY gained.

Main Results:

• The ICER was 9.8 million JPY from the healthcare perspective.
• The ICER was 900,000 JPY from the societal perspective, indicating high cost-effectiveness.
• Universal immunization was cost-effective across various reported hospitalization incidence rates.

Conclusions:

• Rotavirus vaccination is a highly cost-effective public health intervention in Japan.
• Universal immunization against rotavirus offers substantial value from a societal viewpoint.
• Introducing rotavirus vaccine into the national immunization schedule is recommended.