Cost Effectiveness of Pneumococcal Vaccination for Infants and Children with the Conjugate Vaccine PnC-7 in Germany

authored by: Christa Claes, Johann Matthias Graf Von Der Schulenburg
Abstract: Background: The introduction of the conjugate vaccine PnC-7 implies that a pneumococcal vaccine is available, for the first time, which also gives children under the age of 2 years reliable protection against invasive pneumococcal infections and offers some protection against non-invasive pneumococcal infections. Objective and perspective: In the context of a multiple-period Markov model, a cost-effectiveness analysis of a recommendation for general pneumococcal vaccination in Germany for infants and children under the age of 2 years was performed from the healthcare payer, public authority and societal perspectives. Design: Various published data on age-specific incidence rates, mortality rates, efficacy of the conjugate vaccine PnC-7 and treatment costs of pneumococcal infections were incorporated into a Markov model to quantify the consequences of vaccinating versus not vaccinating. Results: From a German healthcare payers' perspective, general vaccination with the conjugate vaccine would redeem 51.1% of the vaccination costs due to avoidable treatment costs, whereas, from a broader point of view, the benefits, expressed in monetary terms, would exceed the cost of vaccination. The conjugate vaccine would require an investment of €72 866 per life-year saved (discounted, healthcare payers' viewpoint). Besides this benchmark, there are further outcome measures which cannot be ignored by those deciding on a general vaccination recommendation: 450 000 preventable episodes of illness and 134 cases of sequelae which can be prevented. Conclusions: The vaccination with the conjugate vaccine PnC-7 is cost saving from a broader perspective and the results should not be ignored by policy makers in regard to a general vaccination recommendation.
Organisation(s): Institute of Insurance Business Administration
Type: Article
Journal: PHARMACOECONOMICS
Volume: 21
Pages: 587-600
No. of pages: 14
ISSN: 1170-7690
Publication date: 06.2003
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Pharmacology, Health Policy, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.2165/00019053-200321080-00005 (Access: Closed)