Economic value of vaccinating geographically hard-to-reach populations with measles vaccine: A modeling application in Kenya

Bruce Y. Lee, Shawn T. Brown, Leila A. Haidari, Samantha Clark, Taiwo Abimbola, Sarah E. Pallas, Aaron S. Wallace, Elizabeth A. Mitgang, Jim Leonard, Sarah M. Bartsch, Tatenda T. Yemeke, Eli Zenkov, Sachiko Ozawa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Since special efforts are necessary to vaccinate people living far from fixed vaccination posts, decision makers are interested in knowing the economic value of such efforts. Methods: Using our immunization geospatial information system platform and a measles compartment model, we quantified the health and economic value of a 2-dose measles immunization outreach strategy for children <24 months of age in Kenya who are geographically hard-to-reach (i.e., those living outside a specified catchment radius from fixed vaccination posts, which served as a proxy for access to services). Findings: When geographically hard-to-reach children were not vaccinated, there were 1427 total measles cases from 2016 to 2020, resulting in $9.5 million ($3.1–$18.1 million) in direct medical costs and productivity losses and 7504 (3338–12,903) disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The outreach strategy cost $76 ($23–$142)/DALY averted (compared to no outreach) when 25% of geographically hard-to-reach children received MCV1, $122 ($40-$226)/DALY averted when 50% received MCV1, and $274 ($123-$478)/DALY averted when 100% received MCV1. Conclusion: Outreach vaccination among geographically hard-to-reach populations was highly cost-effective in a wide variety of scenarios, offering support for investment in an effective outreach vaccination strategy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2377-2386
Number of pages10
JournalVaccine
Volume37
Issue number17
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 17 2019

Keywords

  • Economic
  • Hard-to-reach populations
  • Vaccination

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • General Immunology and Microbiology
  • General Veterinary
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Infectious Diseases

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