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Published on: April 28, 2014
Cost-effectiveness analysis of routine 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccinations in Chinese infants
Hua Zhou1, Jinchun He2, Bin Wu3
1a Department of VIP , Shanghai Children's Hospital, affiliated with the School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University , Shanghai , China.
Insights
The 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-13) is cost-effective for Chinese infants, offering improved health outcomes. Its implementation is recommended given current pricing and health economic thresholds.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Vaccinology
- Health Economics
Background:
- Pneumococcal disease poses a significant public health burden in infants.
- Evaluating vaccine cost-effectiveness is crucial for resource allocation in national immunization programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the cost-effectiveness of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-13) compared to no vaccination in Chinese infants.
- To inform policy decisions regarding infant vaccination strategies in China.
Main Methods:
- A Markov process model was utilized to simulate long-term health outcomes and costs.
- Data and assumptions were adapted for the Chinese context, including a lifetime horizon analysis.
- Sensitivity analyses (one-way and probabilistic) were conducted to assess model uncertainty.
Main Results:
- PCV-13 vaccination yields an average gain of 0.009 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) per subject compared to no vaccination.
- Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were $20,709 (healthcare perspective) and $18,483 (societal perspective) per QALY.
- Herd effects and a lower PCV-13 price significantly improved cost-effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- PCV-13 vaccination is likely cost-effective in China at current prices and a willingness-to-pay threshold of $8,382.
- The findings support the integration of PCV-13 into China's infant immunization schedule.
Background:
This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-13) compared to a no vaccination strategy in Chinese infants.
Methods:
A Markov process model was developed to examine the outcomes of PCV-13 against a no vaccination strategy using data and assumptions adapted for relevance to China. Outcomes over a lifetime horizon are presented. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to determine the uncertainty.
Results:
Compared to no vaccination, a PCV-13 vaccination program would provide a gain of 0.009 additional quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) per subject. From the health care and societal perspectives, the incremental costs per QALY were $20,709 and 18,483, respectively. When herd effect was included, the cost effectiveness of the PCV-13 vaccination strategy was notably improved. The lower price of PCV-13 will improve the cost-effectiveness.
Conclusions:
The PCV-13 vaccination is likely to be cost-effective at the current Chinese prices and ceiling threshold ($8,382).
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