Background: Immunization is regarded as the single most cost-effective way to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases. With the rising cost of the National Immunization Programme (NIP) in Sri Lanka, immunization costing studies could help programme managers to ensure sustainable immunization financing in the country.
Methods: Four medical officer of health (MOH) divisions in Kalutara district were included, to estimate the cost incurred for the NIP programme. Fifteen immunization clinics from urban and rural settings were selected from the selected MOH divisions, by a simple random sampling method. Data were collected for a period of 3 months, using pretested check-lists. In addition, related data at national and district levels were also collected. Cost estimates were made for direct capital and recurrent costs.
Results: The cost of vaccines under the national immunization schedule for infants was 1361.84 SL Rs (US$ 10.32). For children under 5 years of age, it was 1535.64 SL Rs (US$ 11.63). The majority of these costs were direct recurrent costs (93.4%). Vaccines (84.3%) and staff salaries (6.4%) were the main components of direct recurrent costs, while cold-chain equipment (5.3%) was the main contributor to direct capital cost.
Conclusion: The cost of vaccine is the highest proportion among all other cost components in the NIP in Sri Lanka, and this is largely attributable to new costly vaccines. Staff payments are not significant, as they are a shared cost of public health service providers. Studies exploring the costing of the NIP in the country would be beneficial, to ensure sustainable immunization financing.