Cost-effectiveness of hepatitis A vaccination for individuals with chronic hepatitis C.
The incidence of hepatitis A infection in the United States has decreased dramatically in recent years because of childhood immunization programs. A decision analysis of the cost-effectiveness of hepatitis A vaccination for adults with hepatitis C was conducted. No vaccination strategy is cost-effective for adults with hepatitis C using the recent lower anticipated hepatitis A incidence, private sector costs, and a cost-effectiveness criterion of $100,000/QALY. Vaccination is cost-effective only for individuals who have cleared the hepatitis C virus when Department of Veterans Affairs costs are used. The recommendation to vaccinate adults with hepatitis C against hepatitis A should be reconsidered.
Chapko
Michael K
MK
Hepatitis C Resource Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle WA 98101, United States. chapko@u.washington.edu
Yee
Helen S
HS
Monto
Alexander
A
Dominitz
Jason A
JA
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines / Q000191:economics*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000191:economics; D015994:Incidence; D008390:Markov Chains; D008875:Middle Aged; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years
D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines