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Cost-Effectiveness of Routine Infant Meningococcal B Vaccination in the Netherlands.
Joost J M Simons1,2, Florian Zeevat3, Tjalke A Westra4
1GSK, Av. Fleming 20, 1300, Wavre, Belgium. joost.j.simons@gsk.com.
Infectious Diseases and Therapy
|June 26, 2026
Summary
Routine infant vaccination against meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) in the Netherlands is cost-effective if MenB incidence rises by 24%. This vaccination strategy prevents numerous cases, sequelae, and deaths, offering significant public health benefits.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Health Economics
Background:
- Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) caused by serogroup B (MenB) is a severe, vaccine-preventable illness.
- In the Netherlands, MenB is responsible for nearly all IMD cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of routine infant vaccination with the four-component meningococcal B vaccine (4CMenB) in the Netherlands.
- To utilize the latest epidemiological and vaccine data for an updated assessment.
Main Methods:
- A dynamic transmission cost-effectiveness (DyCE) model was employed.
- The model simulated 100 cohorts over their lifetime, comparing 4CMenB vaccination with no vaccination.
- Analyses incorporated recent Dutch epidemiological evidence, health economic guidelines, and varied IMD incidence scenarios.
Main Results:
- Routine 4CMenB vaccination is projected to prevent 2367 MenB IMD cases, 1077 long-term sequelae, and 116 deaths over a lifetime.
- The strategy is estimated to save 14,703 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs).
- The base case incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was €99,752 per QALY gained, falling below the €80,000 threshold with a 24% incidence increase or a 22% decrease in vaccine costs.
Conclusions:
- Infant 4CMenB vaccination in the Netherlands is likely cost-effective under conditions of increased MenB incidence.
- This study provides crucial updated cost-effectiveness data for informing public health policy decisions regarding MenB vaccination.
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