Abstract

CHICAIZA-BECERRA, Liliana A. et al. Economic impact of neumococcal vaccine on oncological patients. Rev. salud pública [online]. 2007, vol.9, n.3, pp.342-352. ISSN 0124-0064.

Objective An economic evaluation of an anti-S pneumoniae vaccine for oncological patients in Colombia. Methods As there is no evidence of vaccine effectiveness for this kind of patient, the cost of a vaccination programme for oncological patients was calculated during its first six years and the opportunity cost was estimated for early cancer detection alternatives. Results An anti-S. pneumoniae vaccination programme for oncological patients would cost around $31 000 000 000 (Colombian pesos in 2006, i.e. nearly US$12 400 000) during its first years. Alternative programs could be developed with this amount, such as 170 000 colonoscopies or early HPV detection, 500 000 mammographies, or more than 3 800 000 cytologies. Conclusions Given the scarcity of resources, it would be better (from an economic point of view) to devote this amount to programmes whose effectiveness has been proven, such as early cancer detection or vaccinating healthy children.

Keywords : Pneumococcal infection; economics; costs and cost analysis; vaccination; neoplasm.

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