Cost-effectiveness of measles elimination in Latin America and the Caribbean: a prospective analysis.
BACKGROUND
In 1994, the Americas set a goal of interrupting indigenous measles transmission from the Western Hemisphere by 2000. To accomplish this goal, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) developed an enhanced measles vaccination strategy.


METHODS
Cost data was collected at PAHO for Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries covering 96% of the region's population on components of the routine programs, and the 'follow-up' activities from member countries. In order to interpret our findings we have compared the present scenario regarding measles with one that would have ensued if past trends continued.


RESULTS
For the entire LAC population, estimated cost of elimination program will be US$ 571 million in present value terms.


CONCLUSIONS
The vaccination strategy toward achieving elimination of measles costs USD 244 million, incremental from the cost of vaccination before the elimination program. Within 2000-2020, the current program will have prevented the occurrence of 3.2 million cases of measles and 16,000 deaths. Thus, vaccination strategy prevents a single case of measles at the cost of USD 71.75 and prevents a death due to measles at the cost of USD 15,000. The case fatality rate depends on a well functioning treatment program for measles cases. The vaccination strategy saves a total of USD 208 million in treatments costs due to reduced incidence of measles.
Acharya
Arnab
A
Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, Falmer-Brighton, UK. a.acharya@ids.ac.uk
Diaz-Ortega
Jose Luis
JL
Tambini
Gina
G
de Quadros
Ciro
C
Arita
Isao
I
D000293:Adolescent; D017691:Caribbean Region; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007843:Latin America; D008457:Measles / Q000191:economics / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000191:economics*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014611:Vaccination / Q000191:economics*
D008458:Measles Vaccine