Vaccine
Volume 29, Issue 52 pp. 9573-9722 (6 December 2011)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/0264410X

 
Regular Papers
Pharmacoeconomic assessment of implementing a universal PCV-13 vaccination programme in the Valencian public health system (Spain)
Pages 9640-9648
Javier Díez-Domingo, Manuel Ridao-López, M. Victoria Gutiérrez-Gimeno, Joan Puig-Barberá, Jose A. Lluch-Rodrigo, Eliseo Pastor-Villalba

Abstract
Background
Heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) was licensed to provide immunity against pneumococcal disease caused by seven serotypes of S. pneumoniae. Thirteen-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-13) includes 6 additional serotypes for preventing invasive pneumococcal disease.

Objective
The objective of this study was to estimate the potential health benefits, costs, and cost-effectiveness of vaccination with PCV-13 in the Community of Valencia and to generate valuable information for policy makers at regional and country levels.

Methods
A decision tree was designed to determine the health and economic outcomes in hypothetical cohorts of vaccinated and unvaccinated children followed over their lifetime. Information about disease incidence and serotype distribution were gathered from local databases and from published and unpublished local records. PCV-13 effectiveness was extrapolated from PCV-7 efficacy data. A 5% of herd effect and a serotype replacement of 25% were considered for the base case scenario. Only direct costs were taken into account and results were expressed in terms of life-years gained (LYG) and quality adjusted life years (QALY).

Results
Implementing a universal PCV-13 vaccination program in the Community of Valencia would decrease the number of hospital admitted pneumonia to less than 4571 cases while avoiding 310 cases of IPD and 82,596 cases of AOM throughout the cohort lifetime. A total of 190 S. pneumoniae related deaths would be averted over the same period. Total medical costs of non-vaccinating the cohort of newborns would reach up to 403,850.859 € compared to 438,762.712 € that would represent vaccinating the cohort. The incremental cost of vaccinating the children was estimated in 12,794 €/LYG and 10,407 €/QALY, respectively.