Cost-effectiveness analysis of influenza vaccination for people aged 65 and over in Japan

Vaccine. 2007 Aug 29;25(35):6511-21. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.05.067. Epub 2007 Jun 21.

Abstract

In 2001, Japan launched a national influenza immunisation program for the elderly which provides a subsidy. In order to evaluate the efficiency of the strategy taken in this current program which provides 71% subsidy for all and explore alternative strategies, authors carried out a cost-effectiveness analysis. Authors compared strategies with different levels of subsidy and the use of risk-base targeting by constructing a decision tree model based on the literature. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of alternative strategies were estimated deterministically and probabilistically from societal perspective. Probabilistically estimated mean incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of current strategy is US$ 15,535 per YOLS, which can be concluded that current program is cost-effective. Authors also conclude that switching from current strategy to strategy which provides 100% subsidy for all, or strategy which provides 100% subsidy for high-risk elderlies only, can be cost-effective as well.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Costs and Cost Analysis
  • Decision Trees
  • Endpoint Determination
  • Humans
  • Influenza Vaccines / economics*
  • Influenza, Human / economics*
  • Influenza, Human / immunology
  • Influenza, Human / prevention & control*
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Life Expectancy
  • Mass Vaccination
  • Nonprescription Drugs / economics
  • Risk Assessment

Substances

  • Influenza Vaccines
  • Nonprescription Drugs