Introduction of a hexavalent vaccine containing acellular pertussis into the national immunization program for infants in Peru: A cost-consequence analysis of vaccination coverage

A new study in BMC Health Services Research evaluates the costs and healthcare outcomes of switching from a pentavalent vaccine containing whole-cell pertussis component (DTwP-HB-Hib) plus IPV/oral polio vaccine (IPV/OPV) to the hexavalent vaccine for the primary vaccination scheme in Peru. The analysis was performed over a 5-year period on a cohort of children born in Peru in 2020 and considered four scenarios:

1. The pentavalent plus IPV/OPV scheme
2. Replacing the pentavalent plus IPV/OPV scheme with the hexavalent scheme
3. Expanded delivery of the pentavalent plus IPV/OPV scheme
4. Expanded delivery of the hexavalent scheme

Implementing the hexavalent vaccine in Peru’s National Immunization Program was found to have a positive public health cost consequence with regards to increasing vaccination coverage and reducing pertussis cases and the incidence of adverse reactions.