title: Cost-benefit analysis of hepatitis-B vaccination. A computerized decision model for Spain.
abstract: The availability and efficacy of recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid yeast-derived hepatitis-B vaccine, at a price much lower than the previously available plasma-derived hepatitis-B vaccines against hepatitis-B virus infections, motivate a new cost-benefit analysis of hepatitis-B vaccination. Spanish data were used to calculate direct and indirect costs of hepatitis-B infection and the costs and benefits of different vaccination strategies in defined risk groups of the Spanish population. A vaccination program will reduce direct expenditures for hepatitis B if the attack rate in the target population is higher than 4.9%. If indirect costs are included, the threshold for cost saving is reduced to 0.9%. The results are sensitive to the price of the vaccine, the duration of protection, assumptions about consequences for quality of life, and to indirect costs.
authors.affiliation: Linköping University.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jönsson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Horisberger
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bruguera
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Matter
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D013030:Spain; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical; D014611:Vaccination / Q000191:economics*; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines
chemical_list: D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines