Economic analysis of investment priorities for measles control.
An investment strategy in measles control should strike an appropriate balance among three areas: implementation of existing vaccination programs with existing technology, operations research to improve the use of existing technology, and vaccine development. As a benchmark, the existing Schwarz vaccine costs approximately $17 per DALY (disability-adjusted life year), already making it one of the most cost-effective health interventions in developing countries. National measles vaccination campaigns, such as Brazil's, are a promising extension of this technology. Operations research is indicated to study the organization of campaigns, supplying and delivering vitamin A to hospitalized children, and other issues. The development and application of an early one-dose measles vaccine would be particularly cost-effective ($5 per DALY), as it could avoid the costs to families and health institutions of the separate visit at 9 months now required for measles vaccination. All three areas present opportunities for cost-effective investments and deserve a place in an investment strategy.
Shepard
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DS
Institute for Health Policy, Heller School, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02254-9110.
D002675:Child, Preschool; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008457:Measles / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics*; D012106:Research / Q000191:economics; D014611:Vaccination / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods
D008458:Measles Vaccine