Prioritizing vaccine introduction to China's National Immunization Program: a multi-criteria decision analysis

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Vaccinology
• Health Economics

Background:

• China's National Immunization Program (NIP) requires strategic prioritization for new vaccine introductions.
• Evaluating multiple vaccine candidates across diverse classes presents a complex decision-making challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and apply a robust framework for prioritizing new vaccine introductions into China's NIP.
• To identify top-priority vaccines based on a comprehensive value assessment.

Main Methods:

• A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) framework was developed, incorporating 21 criteria across six dimensions (safety, effectiveness, economy, innovation, accessibility, appropriateness).
• Two scenarios were simulated: prioritizing vaccine classes and then specific vaccines within classes.

Main Results:

• Safety was the highest-weighted criterion, while innovation received the lowest weight in the vaccine value framework.
• The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was identified as the top priority, followed by Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV), Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (HIB), and Rotavirus (RV) vaccines.
• Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the findings.

Conclusions:

• The developed MCDA framework offers a transparent, comprehensive, and quantifiable approach to vaccine prioritization for China's NIP.
• The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is recommended as the highest priority for inclusion in the NIP.