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Financing vaccinations - the South African experience
Mark S Blecher1, Filip Meheus, Aparna Kollipara
1National Treasury, Private Bag X115, Pretoria, South Africa. Mark.blecher@treasury.gov.za
Vaccine
|September 4, 2012
Summary
South Africa finances new vaccinations using domestic funds, primarily general taxation. Despite increased spending, vaccination remains affordable and necessary for saving lives and preventing illness.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Economics
- Vaccinology
Background:
- South Africa's history as an early adopter of new vaccines.
- Financing of vaccinations predominantly from domestic resources via general taxation.
- Established national vaccination policy determination process within the Department of Health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze South Africa's model for financing new vaccine introductions.
- To evaluate the cost-effectiveness and affordability of universal vaccine rollout.
- To understand strategies employed to manage increased domestic spending on vaccines.
Main Methods:
- Review of national vaccination policy and financing mechanisms.
- Application of health economic criteria (effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, affordability, disease burden).
- Case study analysis of recent vaccine introductions (pneumococcal disease, rotavirus).
Main Results:
- New vaccines for pneumococcal disease and rotavirus were introduced based on unequivocal evidence.
- Universal vaccine rollout led to a fivefold increase in national vaccine spending.
- Total government health expenditure on vaccines remains manageable (1-1.5% of public health expenditure).
Conclusions:
- South Africa's domestic financing model for new vaccines is effective and deemed affordable.
- Strategies like phased rollout and price negotiation help manage increased spending.
- Strong stakeholder support exists for early introduction of next-generation vaccines.
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