Related Experiment Videos
Economic evaluations applied to HB vaccination: general observations
1Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Antwerp, Belgium. pbeutels@uia.ua.ac.be
Vaccine
|January 23, 1999
Summary
Economic evaluations show Hepatitis B (HB) vaccination programs are cost-effective. Risk group vaccination is best for very low endemicity, while universal vaccination is favored in low and intermediate endemicity countries.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Economics
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Numerous economic evaluations of Hepatitis B (HB) vaccination programs exist, primarily focusing on low endemicity settings.
- Surveillance systems and clinic attendance influence cost-effectiveness in very low endemicity countries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the cost-effectiveness of HB vaccination strategies across different endemicity levels.
- To inform decision-making for HB control programs globally.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing economic evaluations of HB vaccination programs.
- Analysis of cost-effectiveness and cost-saving findings based on country endemicity and vaccination strategies (risk group vs. universal).
Main Results:
- Risk group vaccination is most cost-effective in very low endemicity countries with strong surveillance.
- Universal infant or adolescent vaccination is cost-effective and often cost-saving in low endemicity countries.
- Universal neonatal/infant vaccination is cost-effective in intermediate to high endemicity countries.
Conclusions:
- Vaccination strategies for Hepatitis B (HB) vary in cost-effectiveness depending on country endemicity.
- Universal vaccination is a favorable strategy in many settings, offering cost-savings from a societal perspective.
- Further research is crucial for high endemicity countries facing resource constraints and high HB burden.