Related Experiment Videos
Cost-effectiveness analysis of a rotavirus immunization program for the United States
J C Smith1, A C Haddix, S M Teutsch
1Viral Gastroenteritis Section, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
Pediatrics
|October 1, 1995
Summary
Routine rotavirus (RV) vaccination for infants is cost-effective and saves money. This immunization program prevents millions of RV diarrhea cases, hospitalizations, and deaths annually, offering significant economic benefits to society and the healthcare system.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Economics
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Rotavirus (RV) is a leading cause of severe diarrheal disease in infants globally.
- Economic evaluations are crucial for understanding the value of public health interventions like childhood immunization programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the economic impact of a national rotavirus (RV) immunization program for children under one year of age in the United States.
- To assess the cost-effectiveness and cost-saving potential of RV vaccination from both healthcare system and societal perspectives.
Main Methods:
- A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted for a national RV immunization program.
- Data on disease incidence, medical costs, productivity losses, vaccine efficacy, and coverage were sourced from published literature and trial reports.
- Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of varying key parameters like vaccine efficacy and costs.
Main Results:
- An RV immunization program with 50% vaccine efficacy and a $30 cost per dose would prevent over 1 million RV diarrhea cases, 58,000 hospitalizations, and 82 deaths annually.
- The program would incur an annual cost of $243 million, but result in net savings of $79 million for the healthcare system and $466 million for society.
- Incremental cost-effectiveness showed savings of $459 per case prevented from a societal viewpoint and $78 per case from a healthcare system viewpoint.
Conclusions:
- Routine immunization with a rotavirus (RV) vaccine, even one with partial protection against severe disease, yields substantial economic and disease reduction benefits.
- The findings strongly suggest that implementing an RV vaccination program is both cost-effective and cost-saving.