The cost-effectiveness of using hepatitis A/B combined vaccine versus hepatitis B vaccine alone for high-risk heterosexuals

Vaccine. 2008 Oct 3;26(42):5331-3. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.07.089. Epub 2008 Aug 14.

Abstract

Previous studies estimated that vaccinating high-risk heterosexuals (HRH) with combination hepatitis A/B vaccine was a cost-effective alternative to vaccinating HRH against hepatitis B alone. Since then, the incidence of hepatitis A has declined dramatically in the United States. We re-estimate the cost-effectiveness of this policy accounting for modern declines in incidence. According to our estimates, vaccinating with combination vaccine resulted in a cost of $120,000 per quality adjusted life year gained (2.79 times the 2005 United States Gross Domestic Product per capita), a ratio that is less favorable than those for most other vaccination strategies.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Hepatitis A / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis A / prevention & control
  • Hepatitis A Vaccines / economics*
  • Hepatitis B / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis B / prevention & control
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines / economics*
  • Heterosexuality
  • Humans
  • Immunization Programs / economics
  • Incidence
  • Quality-Adjusted Life Years
  • Risk Factors
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Vaccines, Combined

Substances

  • Hepatitis A Vaccines
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines
  • Vaccines, Combined