What We Know Now: An Economic Evaluation of Chickenpox Vaccination and Dose Timing Using an Agent-Based Model

Jan 1, 2021, 00:00
10.1016/j.jval.2020.10.004
https://www.valueinhealthjournal.com/article/S1098-3015(20)34447-8/fulltext
Title : What We Know Now: An Economic Evaluation of Chickenpox Vaccination and Dose Timing Using an Agent-Based Model
Citation : https://www.valueinhealthjournal.com/action/showCitFormats?pii=S1098-3015(20)34447-8&doi=10.1016/j.jval.2020.10.004
First page : 50
Section Title : THEMED SECTION: VACCINES
Open access? : No
Section Order : 50

Objectives

The value of chickenpox vaccination is still debated in the literature and by jurisdictions worldwide. This uncertainty is reflected in the inconsistent uptake of the vaccine, where some countries offer routine childhood immunization programs, others have targeted programs, and in many the vaccine is only privately available. Even across the countries that have universal funding for the vaccine, there is a diversity of schedules and dosing intervals. Using an agent-based model of chickenpox and shingles, we conducted an economic evaluation of chickenpox vaccination in Alberta, Canada.

Methods

We compared the cost-effectiveness of 2 common chickenpox vaccination schedules, specifically a long dosing interval (first dose: 12 months; second dose: 4-6 years) and a short dosing interval (first dose: 12 months; second dose: 18 months).

Results

The economic evaluation demonstrated a shorter dosing interval may be marginally preferred, although it consistently led to higher costs from both the societal and healthcare perspectives. We found that chickenpox vaccination would be cost-saving and highly cost-effective from the societal and healthcare perspective, assuming there was no impact on shingles.

Conclusion

Chickenpox vaccine was cost-effective when not considering shingles and remained so even if there was a minor increase in shingles following vaccination. However, if chickenpox vaccination did lead to a substantial increase in shingles, then chickenpox vaccination was not cost-effective from the healthcare perspective.

Categories :
  • Cost/Cost of Illness/Resource Use Studies
  • Cost-comparison, Effectiveness, Utility, Benefit Analysis
  • Economic Evaluation
  • Methodological & Statistical Research
  • Modeling and simulation
  • Pediatrics
  • Specialized Treatment Areas
  • Specific Diseases & Conditions
  • Vaccines
Tags :
  • agent-based modeling
  • chickenpox
  • cost-effectiveness analysis
  • economic evaluation
  • shingles
  • varicella zoster virus
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