Immunization is widely recognized as a highly cost-effective health intervention that reduces the cost of health care that would have otherwise been incurred in treating infectious diseases. A study assessing the economic impact of vaccinations in 73 low- and middle-income countries between 2001 and 2020 estimated it would avert over 20 million deaths and save US$ 350 billion in cost of illness. Furthermore, the deaths and disabilities prevented could have resulted in estimated lifelong productivity gains totaling US$ 330 billion and US$ 9 billion, respectively.
As more countries implement and institutionalize health accounts, there is an increased expectation for more sophisticated information on health expenditure data. As part of this trend, country EPI Managers and development partners are interested in tracking expenditure on immunization programs for planning purposes, documenting value for money, and evidence-based advocacy and policy efforts. In support of this process, the WHO is offering guidance specifically on the tracking of immunization expenditures. The new methodology document is intended to help a country’s government develop a framework for more reliable and timely data on Immunization Expenditures that is comparable both across countries and over time.
The document can be found under “International Classification of Health Accounts SHA 2011,” in the Global Health Expenditure Database.
