OBJECTIVES To evaluate the cost-benefit rate of measles-mumps-rubella vaccination in two areas with different immunization coverage. DESIGN On the basis of the epidemiologic patterns of the three diseases in Piedmont and Puglia, the direct and indirect costs of the diseases and vaccination were estimated. A hypothetical 5-year vaccination program for children between 2 and 6 years of age was designed for the two regions. SETTING Piedmont and Puglia regions from 1995-1999, with MMR immunization coverage of 60% and 40%, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES AND RESULTS The variation of the cost-benefit rate of vaccination was related to immunization coverage (and residual morbidity), cost of the disease (especially indirect costs), efficacy of the vaccine. The ratio was greater than 1 when coverage was moderate (40%) with hight morbidity and low costs of the disease; with a 60%coverage a ratio of 0.70-0.90 was achieved. CONCLUSIONS The analysis showed that cost-benefit ratio is affected by several factors that can vary within the regional situations. While the cost of a prevented case can be low, public health strategies should also consider the cost of residual cases which can be high when immunization coverage or vaccine efficacy is low.
Valutazione economica della vaccinazione antimorbillo-parotite-rosolia in relazione al livello di copertura
ZOTTI, Carla Maria;CHARRIER, Lorena;
2003-01-01
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the cost-benefit rate of measles-mumps-rubella vaccination in two areas with different immunization coverage. DESIGN On the basis of the epidemiologic patterns of the three diseases in Piedmont and Puglia, the direct and indirect costs of the diseases and vaccination were estimated. A hypothetical 5-year vaccination program for children between 2 and 6 years of age was designed for the two regions. SETTING Piedmont and Puglia regions from 1995-1999, with MMR immunization coverage of 60% and 40%, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES AND RESULTS The variation of the cost-benefit rate of vaccination was related to immunization coverage (and residual morbidity), cost of the disease (especially indirect costs), efficacy of the vaccine. The ratio was greater than 1 when coverage was moderate (40%) with hight morbidity and low costs of the disease; with a 60%coverage a ratio of 0.70-0.90 was achieved. CONCLUSIONS The analysis showed that cost-benefit ratio is affected by several factors that can vary within the regional situations. While the cost of a prevented case can be low, public health strategies should also consider the cost of residual cases which can be high when immunization coverage or vaccine efficacy is low.
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