OBJECTIVES: Acellular multivalent vaccines have been associated with favorable impact on coverage, reduced adverse events, time for vaccination and number of required injections. The switch from the current whole cell pentavalent vaccine (DTwP-Hib-HepB) + polio (IPV/OPV) scheme for an acellular hexavalent vaccine (DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB) has the potential to improve health outcomes for the Peruvian infant population. This study aimed to estimate the economic impact of replacing the current Peruvian primary immunization scheme for infants under 1 year old with an alternative scheme with similar efficacy, based on a hexavalent vaccine.

METHODS: A cost-minimization analysis compared the costs associated with vaccine administration, adverse reactions management, logistical activities, and indirect social costs associated with time spent by parents in both vaccination schemes. The economic impact of the alternative scheme on the healthcare budget was assessed through a budgetary impact analysis.

RESULTS: Introducing the hexavalent vaccine would result in a 15.5% net increase in healthcare budget expenditure (USD$ 48,281,706 vs USD$ 55,744,653). Vaccination costs (vaccine acquisition, medical personal, equipment, supplies, support services and administrative expenses) would increase by 54.1%, whereas logistical and adverse reaction costs would be reduced by 59.8% and 33.1%, respectively. Including indirect social costs results in a budgetary impact of 8.7%. Furthermore, the alternative scheme would enable the liberation of 17.5% of national vaccines storage capacity.

CONCLUSIONS: Including the hexavalent vaccine into the National Immunization Program would increase the public healthcare budget, despite the mitigation given the significant reduction of logistical and adverse reaction costs. Taking indirect costs into account would reduce the budgetary impact demonstrating the social value of the alternative scheme. Furthermore, the liberation of national vaccines storage capacity represents an opportunity for optimizing the use of current logistic resources. These considerations merit a comprehensive appraisal of new interventions in public policies regarding health prevention and promotion.