Cost-effectiveness evidence for the introduction of a vaccine case study: Belarus and Uzbekistan – Haemophilus influenzae type B

KEY FINDINGS

A comparative economic evaluation of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccination in Belarus and
Uzbekistan was conducted to guide decision-makers on whether:

• Belarus should expand current regional Hib vaccination countrywide;
• Uzbekistan should continue Hib vaccination following termination of funding from the GAVI Alliance in 2015.

Key findings included the following.
Hib vaccination for one birth cohort is predicted to:

• prevent about 350 deaths and 3000 Hib disease cases annually in children less than 5 years of age in
  Uzbekistan;
• prevent about 3 deaths and 500 Hib disease cases annually in children less than 5 years of age in Belarus;
• reduce by 80% treatment costs for Hib (outpatient visits and inpatient admissions) in both countries;
• reduce by 80% the number of children with long-term disabilities due to Hib meningitis.
  • increase immunization costs per fully vaccinated child to US$ 43 and US$ 16 in Belarus and Uzbekistan
  respectively