Measuring the cost of a pediatric vaccine administration in the UK

Area of Science:

• Health economics
• Vaccinology
• Public health

Background:

• Vaccine administration costs are often underestimated due to incomplete reporting of pre-vaccination and on-the-day activities.
• Accurate cost-effectiveness analysis is crucial for healthcare resource allocation and policy-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To accurately determine the total time and cost associated with vaccine dose administration in UK general practitioner (GP) practices.
• To provide a comprehensive cost analysis that includes all activities from preparation to post-vaccination.

Main Methods:

• A field study was conducted across 6 UK GP sites over 4 months (April-June 2015).
• Workflow mapping and interviews were used to identify pre-vaccination activities and estimate their costs.
• Time & Motion (T&M) methodology was employed for a prospective, non-interventional study to measure on-the-day vaccination activities, including consumables and guardian time.
• Data were analyzed using a random intercept model to account for site-specific variations.

Main Results:

• 123 T&M observations were collected, stratified by vaccination visit within the first year of life.
• The total cost per vaccine visit, including supply costs and pre-vaccination activities, averaged £11.9 (range: £8.6-£17.0).
• The time per vaccine dose administered was 7.1 minutes (range: 5.7-9.2), with an associated cost of £4.3 (range: £3.1-£6.2).

Conclusions:

• The study provides an accurate reflection of the resources required for vaccine administration in UK pediatric settings.
• The calculated costs align with the current National Health Services (NHS) fee schedule, validating the methodology.
• This detailed cost analysis can inform healthcare budgeting and improve the efficiency of vaccination programs.