title: Cost-effectiveness of the 13-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in Children in Portugal.
abstract: Pneumococcal infections are the leading cause of vaccine-preventable death in children. In June 2015, the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) was introduced in the Portuguese Immunization Program. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of children vaccinated with PCV13 versus no vaccination for preventing pneumococcal diseases.
  
  
  
  A cohort simulation model for 2014 Portuguese newborns was used, considering a lifetime horizon and existence of herd effect on adults. Model outcomes measured life years gained, direct and indirect healthcare costs and net benefits considering &OV0556;20,000 per life years gained. PCV13 clinical effectiveness rate by serotype covered was assumed similar to PCV7. Patients' resource use was based on 2014 diagnostic-related group database and experts' opinion, while national legislation and official drug cost database were the main sources for unitary costs. Univariate sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess results' effectiveness.
  
  
  
  In base case scenario, PCV13 was a dominant strategy, being associated with better health outcomes and lower costs. In a lifetime, a total of 6238 infections (excluding acute otitis media) and 130 deaths were averted, with a total saving of &OV0556;397,217 ($432,966). Net benefits were estimated above &OV0556;28 million ($30 million). Results were robust in all sensitivity analyses, with positive net benefits, except when herd effect was excluded.
  
  
  
  Vaccination of children with PCV13 starting in their first year of life is a cost-effective intervention with the potential to save costs to the Portuguese health system and to provide health gains by reducing the burden of pneumococcal disease in the vaccines and through the herd effect of this vaccine.
authors.affiliation: From the *Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisboa, Portugal; †Centro de Estudos de Medicina Baseada na Evidência, Faculdade de Medicina da, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; ‡Laboratório de Farmacologia Clínica e Terapêutica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; §Unidade de Farmacologia Clínica, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisboa, Portugal; and ¶Unidade de Farmacologia Clínica, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Central EPE, Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gouveia
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fiorentino
authors.forename: Gonçalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jesus
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Margarida
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borges
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D018448:Models, Immunological; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: C538862:13-valent pneumococcal vaccine; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines