Projected health impact and cost-effectiveness of rotavirus vaccination among children <5 years of age in China.
BACKGROUND
Two rotavirus vaccines have been licensed globally since 2006. In China, only a lamb rotavirus vaccine is licensed and several new rotavirus vaccines are in development. Data regarding the projected health impact and cost-effectiveness of vaccination of children in China against rotavirus will assist policy makers in developing recommendations for vaccination.


METHODS
Using a Microsoft Excel model, we compared the national health and economic burden of rotavirus disease in China with and without a vaccination program. Model inputs included 2007 data on burden and cost of rotavirus outcomes (deaths, hospitalizations, outpatient visits), projected vaccine efficacy, coverage, and cost. Cost-effectiveness was measured in US dollars per disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) and US dollars per life saved.


RESULTS
A 2-dose rotavirus vaccination program could annually avert 3013 (62%) deaths, 194,794 (59%) hospitalizations and 1,333,356 (51%) outpatient visits associated with rotavirus disease in China. The medical break-even price of the vaccine is $1.19 per dose. From a societal perspective, a vaccination program would be highly cost-effective in China at the vaccine price of $2.50 to $5 per dose, and be cost-effective at the price of $10 to $20 per dose.


CONCLUSIONS
A national rotavirus vaccination program could be a cost-effective measure to effectively reduce deaths, hospitalizations, and outpatient visits due to rotavirus disease in China.
Department of Viral Diarrhea, Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control, Beijing, China.
Na
N
Liu
Catherine
C
Yen
Zhao-yin
ZY
Fang
Jacqueline E
JE
Tate
Baoming
B
Jiang
Umesh D
UD
Parashar
Guang
G
Zeng
Zhao-jun
ZJ
Duan
D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022243:Rotavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics* / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*
D022243:Rotavirus Vaccines