OBJECTIVES

Colombia introduced Pneumococcal Conjugated Vaccine (PCV) in its National Immunization Program in 2011, with a demonstrated effect on the burden of pneumococcal-related diseases (PD). Nevertheless, there are concerns regarding the residual PD and the increase of certain serotypes. It was estimated the health and financial impact of PCV introduction (2011-2018), on the overall PD burden in children <5 years.

METHODS

The burden of PD before vaccine introduction and the medical treatment costs were obtained from published studies. The annual economic and health impact of PCV were obtained from regional and international studies. Residual pneumococcal burden was compared to the net overall vaccine impact on PD and the incremental cost of reducing the residual type-specific IPD burden was calculated.

RESULTS

A reduction of 70% for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD; 1,624 cases), 33% for pneumonia (15,988 cases) and 30% for acute otitis media (AOM; 230,140 cases) was estimated. Averted cases accounted for >43,000,000 USD reduction/year. Although the net overall vaccine impact was significant, the existence of 696 residual IPD in children was roughly calculated. An estimate of 44.4% residual IPD (309 cases/year) occurred in vaccinated children. Considering slight differences on effectiveness between PCVs against Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp) 19A IPD, replacement of one vaccine by other, may reduce 34-113 Sp 19A IPD cases/year with an incremental cost of >3,600,000 USD/year.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show a significant net overall vaccine impact in Colombian children, providing also medical cost savings, despite residual IPD cases. The incremental investment required for vaccine switch can be more efficiently used in other health priorities of Colombia where more population benefits are expected.