An economic evaluation of universal pertussis vaccination in Italy

Citation
P. Beutels et al., An economic evaluation of universal pertussis vaccination in Italy, VACCINE, 17(19), 1999, pp. 2400-2409
Citations number
45
Categorie Soggetti
Veterinary Medicine/Animal Health",Immunology
Journal title
VACCINE
ISSN journal
0264410X → ACNP
Volume
17
Issue
19
Year of publication
1999
Pages
2400 - 2409
Database
ISI
SICI code
0264-410X(19990514)17:19<2400:AEEOUP>2.0.ZU;2-H
Abstract
An economic evaluation was performed of universal acellular pertussis vacci nation in Italy, where until recently the overall coverage of pertussis vac cination was estimated at 505. Over the last two years coverage seems to ha ve increased rapidly. By means of a mathematical simulation model, the cons equences of pertussis vaccination in terms of both health effects and econo mic costs were calculated for a single birth cohort followed for 6 years. I ncremental analyses were performed for each additional 10% increase in cove rage from 50-90%. The results indicate that a 50% coverage rate of pertussi s vaccination in Italy was not optimal on the basis of cost-effectiveness a nd cost-benefit considerations. Additional increases in coverage were found to yield extra health gains at modest net costs or even potential net savi ngs to the health care sector. For example, an increase in coverage to 90% would yield direct net savings of US$42 per extra vaccinee in comparison to a situation of 50% coverage. The total net savings for this strategy would be well over US$100 per additional vaccinee. In the sensitivity analysis, the positive relationship between incremental coverage and incremental effi ciency remained unchanged. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserv ed.