Costi della prevenzione della rosolia in gravidanza

Costs of rubella prevention in pregnancy Objectives: 1) To identify the proportion of pregnant mothers susceptible to rubella in a representative sample of the female population of childbearing age resident in Turin (1995-1999). 2) To estimate the probability of adverse events in relation to different vaccination strategies. 3) To evaluate the economic aspects of antirubella vaccination. Design: The study was carried out on a cohort of 14,422 pregnant mothers; surveillance parameters included state of immunity to rubella, number of abortions or cases of congenital rubella, and the accuracy and costs of surveillance. Setting: The study was conducted at the outpatient clinic of the Ospedale Ostetrico Ginecologico S. Anna, Turin. Main costs and results: The study cohort was compared with a hypothetical cohort with a 95% vaccination coverage; the differences in costs between the two groups were then compared. The surveillance costs for the study cohort with an estimated effective coverage of 50% did not differ from those estimated for 95% coverage (lower surveillance costs). An increase in costs would arise if the male population was to be vaccinated as well. Conclusion: The increased cost of extending antirubella vaccination to the male population is markedly outweighed by the elimination of the virus and epidemic outbreaks that constitute a major risk for pregnant mothers. With extended vaccination, no cases of congenital rubella would occur.