OBJECTIVES : Vaccination is often considered a long-term investment only, overlooking the potential short- and medium-term benefits. In Europe, a small percentage of national health care budgets is allocated to prevention and vaccination. The purpose of this analysis was to estimate the lifelong vaccination costs in 4 countries and impact of higher vaccine coverage rates (VCRs) in national immunization program (NIP) reflecting also NIP expansion with new vaccines (HPV, rotavirus, pneumococcal and varicella vaccination).

METHODS : A model was developed to estimate the lifelong vaccination costs in Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia and Romania for current and 5 years horizon using data on demographics, VCRs and publicly available vaccine prices. Estimation of the individual lifetime cost of vaccination a theoretical approach was applied that every individual is immunized in a full compliance with current NIP.

RESULTS : Cost of life long vaccination per one person varies from 190 € in Serbia, 550 € in Romania, 623 € in Croatia and 754 € in Slovenia. After NIP expansion cost of life long vaccination per one person would raise to 380 € in Serbia, 667 € in Romania, 801 € in Croatia and 1021 € in Slovenia.

CONCLUSIONS : Prevention through vaccination requires low levels of investment relative to the substantial benefits that can be obtained. Results of this analyses shows that vaccines still entail a relatively low level of investment in the Balkans. Cost of life long vaccination in Balkans does not exceed 1000 € even with inclusion of several new vaccines into NIPs and increasing VCRs. Considering that all these countries use tender procurement systems for vaccines, cost are probably even lower.