Estimating the costs of implementing the rotavirus vaccine in the national immunisation programme: the case of Malawi.

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelfagfællebedømt

Worldwide, rotavirus infections cause approximately 453 000 child deaths annually.
Two licensed vaccines could be life- and cost-saving in low-income countries where the disease
burden is highest. The aim of our study was to estimate the total cost of implementing the rotavirus
vaccine in the national immunisation programme of a low-income country. Furthermore, the aim was
to examine the relative contribution of different components to the total cost.
methods Following the World Health Organization guidelines, we estimated the resource use and
costs associated with rotavirus vaccine implementation, using Malawi as a case. The cost analysis was
undertaken from a governmental perspective. All costs were calculated for a 5-years period (2012–2016)
and discounted at 5%. The value of key input parameters was varied in a sensitivity analysis.
results The total cost of rotavirus vaccine implementation in Malawi amounted to US$ 18.5
million over a 5-years period. This translated into US$ 5.8 per child in the birth cohort. With GAVI
Alliance financial support, the total cost was reduced to US$ 1.4 per child in the birth cohort.
Approximately 83% of the total cost was attributed to vaccine purchase, while 17% was attributed
to system costs, with personnel, transportation and cold chain as the main cost components.
conclusion The total cost of rotavirus vaccine implementation in Malawi is high compared with
the governmental health budget of US$ 26 per capita per year. This highlights the need for new
financing opportunities for low-income countries to facilitate vaccine implementation and ensure
sustainable financing.
Bidragets oversatte titelVurdering af omkostninger ved at indføre rotavirus vaccine i det nationale immunisations program: Malawi som eksempel.: NA
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftTropical Medicine & International Health
Vol/bind19
Udgave nummer2
Sider (fra-til)177-185
Antal sider9
ISSN1360-2276
DOI
StatusUdgivet - feb. 2014

ID: 117625835