[Economic impact of rotavirus vaccination in Panama].
BACKGROUND
Rotavirus (RV) gastroenteritis (GE) causes a significant health and economic burden in Panama. The main objective of this study is to estimate the healthcare costs and the cost-effectiveness of vaccination in Panama from the societal perspective.


METHODS
An economic model was constructed, using published epidemiological data, country-specific cost estimates, and vaccine efficacy data. The main outcome measures were disease burden, economic burden and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (US$/DALY and US$/life saved) of vaccination.


RESULTS
In Panama, among children during the first five years of life, it is estimated that due to RV GE, 283 per 1,000 have a clinic visit, 24 per 1,000 are hospitalized, and 0.53 per 1,000 die. For every 1,000 children born, RV infection results in US$16,463 in total costs during their first five years of life. An estimated US$862,388 may be spent annually on treatment of outpatient and hospitalized cases in Panama. Vaccination would prevent 65% of the associated deaths, 68% of hospitalizations, 69% of outpatient visits and 65% of associated DALY (Disability Adjusted Life Years). From the societal perspective, RV vaccination produces a cost-effectiveness ratio of US$487 per DALY when the price of the vaccine is US$7.50 per dose.


CONCLUSIONS
Vaccination can effectively reduce the disease burden and healthcare costs of RV GE in Panama.
Constenla
D
D
Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA. dagnaconstenla@yahoo.com
Ortega-Barría
E
E
Rheingans
R D
RD
Antil
L
L
Sáez-Llorens
X
X
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D018803:Models, Economic; D010176:Panama; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022243:Rotavirus Vaccines / Q000191:economics*
D022243:Rotavirus Vaccines