OBJECTIVES : Pneumococcal diseases were estimated to cause 1.6 million deaths annually worldwide in 2008, with approximately half of these occurring in children aged under 5 years. The consequences and deaths adversely impact individuals and caregiver’s work productivity. This study aims to quantify the potential lifelong productivity loss due to pneumococcal diseases among the pediatric population in Thailand using productivity-adjusted life years (PALYs) estimation approach

METHODS A decision analytic model was used to estimate burden of pneumococcal diseases among Thai population aged 0-5 years and followed up for lifelong. Base-case analysis estimated life year and PALYs loss attributable to pneumococcal diseases, compared to ‘status quo’. Scenario analyses were performed to estimate the effects pneumococcal conjugated vaccine 13 (PCV 13) on PALYs. Sensitivity analyses were also performed. All health outcomes were discounted at 3% per annum.

RESULTS The base-case analysis estimated that 453,401 years of life and 817,363 PALYs would be lost to pneumococcal diseases, equating to a loss of USD 5,389 (95% CI: 4,421 – 7,388) million. Vaccination with PCV13 at birth was estimated to save 82,609 years of life and 107,241 PALYs, which led to USD 707 (95% CI: 254 – 1,472) million in monetary savings. The incidence of pneumonia in those aged 0 to 4 years, vaccine efficacy, and the assumed period of protection were key determinants of the health economic outputs.

CONCLUSIONS The clinical and financial burden of pneumococcal diseases in Thailand is significant, but large proportion of this is potentially preventable with vaccination.