Cost effectiveness analysis of heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Germany considering herd immunity effects

authored by: Christa Claes, Ralf René Reinert, Johann Matthias Graf Von Der Schulenburg
Abstract: Background: In Germany the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) has been recommended as a general infant vaccination since 2006. Data from similar programmes in the USA have reported a reduction of pneumococcal diseases in both vaccinated and unvaccinated populations, suggesting herd immunity effects. This study analyses the cost-effectiveness of a general vaccination with PCV7 in Germany based on these findings. Methods: A Markov model adapts efficacy and herd immunity data to the German population. Further main model inputs are incidence, vaccination uptake, serotype distribution, case fatality rates, and vaccination and health-care costs. Results: A general vaccination with PCV7 would avoid about 232,000 pneumococcal infections and 1,879 premature deaths per year in Germany. From the health-care payer's perspective, direct cost savings would outweigh vaccination expenditures by a ratio of 1:1.16. The sensitivity analysis shows that these estimates are quite conservative. Conclusion: Based on the health-economic evaluation, the authors recommend the continuation of the general recommendation of PCV7 according to the 3 + 1 schedule within the German Statutory Health Insurance.
Organisation(s): Center for Health Economics Research Hannover (CHERH)
External Organisation(s): RWTH Aachen University
Type: Article
Journal: European Journal of Health Economics
Volume: 10
Pages: 25-38
No. of pages: 14
ISSN: 1618-7598
Publication date: 02.2009
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Economics, Econometrics and Finance (miscellaneous), Health Policy
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1007/s10198-008-0098-1 (Access: Closed)

BibTeX

@article{ad52054d5c204c3e8aa184f97fd7ce9d,
title = "Cost effectiveness analysis of heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Germany considering herd immunity effects",
abstract = "Background: In Germany the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) has been recommended as a general infant vaccination since 2006. Data from similar programmes in the USA have reported a reduction of pneumococcal diseases in both vaccinated and unvaccinated populations, suggesting herd immunity effects. This study analyses the cost-effectiveness of a general vaccination with PCV7 in Germany based on these findings. Methods: A Markov model adapts efficacy and herd immunity data to the German population. Further main model inputs are incidence, vaccination uptake, serotype distribution, case fatality rates, and vaccination and health-care costs. Results: A general vaccination with PCV7 would avoid about 232,000 pneumococcal infections and 1,879 premature deaths per year in Germany. From the health-care payer's perspective, direct cost savings would outweigh vaccination expenditures by a ratio of 1:1.16. The sensitivity analysis shows that these estimates are quite conservative. Conclusion: Based on the health-economic evaluation, the authors recommend the continuation of the general recommendation of PCV7 according to the 3 + 1 schedule within the German Statutory Health Insurance.",
keywords = "Germany, Herd immunity, Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7), Pneumococcal disease",
author = "Christa Claes and Reinert, {Ralf Ren{\'e}} and {Von Der Schulenburg}, {Johann Matthias Graf}",
note = "Funding Information: This study was supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Wyeth Pharma, M{\"u}nster, Germany.",
year = "2009",
month = feb,
doi = "10.1007/s10198-008-0098-1",
language = "English",
volume = "10",
pages = "25--38",
journal = "European Journal of Health Economics",
issn = "1618-7598",
publisher = "Springer Verlag",
number = "1",
}