Development of a Markov Model-Based Visualization Tool of Regional HPV Vaccination Coverage Rates Over Time in Austria: Combining Data From Pharmaceutical Industry and Healthcare Data Including National Vaccination Registry
Author(s)
Günther Zauner, MSc, PhD1, Melanie Zechmeister, MSc.2, Claire Rippinger, MSc.3, Maria Paulke-Korinek, Mag. Dr. PhD4, Niki Popper, MSc ,Dr. techn.5.
1Lead Health Economics, dwh GmbH, Vienna, Austria, 2Institute of Statistics and Mathematical Methods in Economics, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria, 3Simulation Services, dwh GmbH, Vienna, Austria, 4Public Health and Healthcare System, Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, Vienna, Austria, 5Institute of Information Systems Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria.
1Lead Health Economics, dwh GmbH, Vienna, Austria, 2Institute of Statistics and Mathematical Methods in Economics, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria, 3Simulation Services, dwh GmbH, Vienna, Austria, 4Public Health and Healthcare System, Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, Vienna, Austria, 5Institute of Information Systems Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria.
OBJECTIVES: Austria was the first country in Europe, that implemented a gender- neutral national immunization program for children in 2014. To monitor the vaccination program, vaccination coverage rates were calculated and visualized uniformly for both genders by federal state in the HPV cockpit based on data from the Ministry of Health and sales figures from the pharmaceutical industry. In order to monitor a vaccination program, vaccination coverage rates were evaluated to better identify gaps in immunity in the population and thus better combat diseases.
METHODS: The HPV vaccination coverage rates are calculated using an R-based stochastic simulation model. This is done in several steps: first, the annual number of vaccinations is determined from several data sets (sales figures, reported vaccinations). These vaccinations are then distributed among the individual doses or groups of people (age, federal state, gender). Finally, the vaccination coverage rate within these groups of people is calculated.
RESULTS: Vaccination coverage rates vary widely between the federal states, ranging from 76% (Vienna) to 29% (Salzburg) among 14-year-olds. By breaking down the data by month, a significant increase in first vaccinations of 9-year-olds (Carinthia, Lower Austria, Salzburg, Vorarlberg, Vienna), respectively 10-year olds (Upper Austria, Tyrol) in October clearly shows the school vaccination programme. In July 2024, a catch-up campaign with free HPV-vaccinations up to the age of 30 was initiated. This leads to a jump in the vaccination coverage rate from 12% to 25% in the corresponding age cohort (June 2024 - March 2025).
CONCLUSIONS: By linking sales figures from the private sector (MSD) and vaccination figures from the healthcare sector, the dashboard provides a good picture of the current situation and makes it possible to highlight weaknesses. The dashboard provides a good basis for decision-makers, but future work on more detailed regional calculations would help to optimize the usability.
METHODS: The HPV vaccination coverage rates are calculated using an R-based stochastic simulation model. This is done in several steps: first, the annual number of vaccinations is determined from several data sets (sales figures, reported vaccinations). These vaccinations are then distributed among the individual doses or groups of people (age, federal state, gender). Finally, the vaccination coverage rate within these groups of people is calculated.
RESULTS: Vaccination coverage rates vary widely between the federal states, ranging from 76% (Vienna) to 29% (Salzburg) among 14-year-olds. By breaking down the data by month, a significant increase in first vaccinations of 9-year-olds (Carinthia, Lower Austria, Salzburg, Vorarlberg, Vienna), respectively 10-year olds (Upper Austria, Tyrol) in October clearly shows the school vaccination programme. In July 2024, a catch-up campaign with free HPV-vaccinations up to the age of 30 was initiated. This leads to a jump in the vaccination coverage rate from 12% to 25% in the corresponding age cohort (June 2024 - March 2025).
CONCLUSIONS: By linking sales figures from the private sector (MSD) and vaccination figures from the healthcare sector, the dashboard provides a good picture of the current situation and makes it possible to highlight weaknesses. The dashboard provides a good basis for decision-makers, but future work on more detailed regional calculations would help to optimize the usability.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EPH60
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Policy & Regulatory, Real World Data & Information Systems
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
Vaccines