Background: The economic burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) to society is high as shown from results of recent European studies. The evidence suggests that the implementation of antirotavirus vaccination programs can substantially decrease costs, thus freeing resources for alternative uses. The objective of this study was to measure the health benefits and costs of a pentavalent vaccination program in Italy. Methods: A decision model was designed to follow a cohort of infants from birth to 5 years of age. Input data were mainly drawn from a recent prospective observational study (REVEAL) conducted in seven European regions, including one in Italy, that recorded healthcare utilization for children under 5 years of age with acute gastroenteritis. Results: The implementation of a pentavalent antirotavirus vaccination (80% coverage rate) would avoid 61,704 cases of RVGE seeking healthcare; 42,368 GP and paediatricians' consultations; 38,304 emergency visits; 10,673 hospitalizations; 2327 nosocomial infections; and 7 deaths. It would also avoid 217,596 lost working days for parents. From the national health system perspective, the cost of the program would be €48.5 million and the reduction in the cost of disease would be €20.6 million (-72%). From the societal perspective, the program would reduce the global cost of disease by €56.4 million (-70%) resulting in a net benefit of €7.8 million. Conclusions: Today prevention is at the top of policy-makers' agendas in all Western countries. There is a wealth of evidence on the economic and clinical benefits from vaccination programs against RVGE. The present study confirms previous results thus suggesting that the vaccination program should be implemented in Italy. © 2009 Adis Data Information BV.

Health benefits and economic impact of implementing a pentavalent rotavirus vaccination program in Italy

TARRICONE, ROSANNA;
2009

Abstract

Background: The economic burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) to society is high as shown from results of recent European studies. The evidence suggests that the implementation of antirotavirus vaccination programs can substantially decrease costs, thus freeing resources for alternative uses. The objective of this study was to measure the health benefits and costs of a pentavalent vaccination program in Italy. Methods: A decision model was designed to follow a cohort of infants from birth to 5 years of age. Input data were mainly drawn from a recent prospective observational study (REVEAL) conducted in seven European regions, including one in Italy, that recorded healthcare utilization for children under 5 years of age with acute gastroenteritis. Results: The implementation of a pentavalent antirotavirus vaccination (80% coverage rate) would avoid 61,704 cases of RVGE seeking healthcare; 42,368 GP and paediatricians' consultations; 38,304 emergency visits; 10,673 hospitalizations; 2327 nosocomial infections; and 7 deaths. It would also avoid 217,596 lost working days for parents. From the national health system perspective, the cost of the program would be €48.5 million and the reduction in the cost of disease would be €20.6 million (-72%). From the societal perspective, the program would reduce the global cost of disease by €56.4 million (-70%) resulting in a net benefit of €7.8 million. Conclusions: Today prevention is at the top of policy-makers' agendas in all Western countries. There is a wealth of evidence on the economic and clinical benefits from vaccination programs against RVGE. The present study confirms previous results thus suggesting that the vaccination program should be implemented in Italy. © 2009 Adis Data Information BV.
2009
Tarricone, Rosanna; C., Giaquinto; N., Largeron; M., Trichard
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11565/3457391
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