Cost of providing the expanded programme on immunization: findings from a facility-based study in Viet Nam, 2005.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate and analyse the costs for providing the expanded programme on immunization (EPI) in a rural community in the north of Viet Nam in 2005.


METHODS
An ingredient approach was used to collect cost data from the perspective of the service providers.


RESULTS
The total annual cost of EPI in Bavi district was US$58,460 [purchasing power parity (PPP) 282,076]. Vaccines and supplies were the largest cost category (33%), followed by personnel costs (30.2%). The largest share of the total cost was due to activities at commune level (38%). The average cost per fully vaccinated child (FVC) was US$4.81 (PPP 23.21), much lower than the figure of US$15 that is generally accepted as the cost-effective threshold for EPI in developing countries.


CONCLUSIONS
This empirical study indicates that EPI has been implemented efficiently in rural Viet Nam, but that opportunities exist to make it even more efficient.
Faculty of Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Viet Nam. hvminh71@yahoo.com
Minh Van
MV
Hoang
Thi Bach Yen
TB
Nguyen
Bao Giang
BG
Kim
Lan Huong
LH
Dao
Thuy Huong
TH
Nguyen
Pamela
P
Wright
D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012424:Rural Population; D014744:Vietnam