Hepatitis A: an assessment of the cost-benefit ratio of prevention by the vaccine - Paraná, Brazil

Abstract

Objectives: know the mqgniulde of the problem of Hepatitis A in Parana, Brazil, and assess the cost-benefit ratio of vaccination. Materials and methods: the study is descriptive and pharmacoeconomical. To assess the magnitude of the problem, data were collected on cases of hepatitis A from the Information System of Worsening Notification (SINAN), Information System in Mortality (SIM) and Hospitalization Authorization (AIH) of the State Secretariat of I Health of Paraná referring to the period from 2000 to 2003. The probability of one tenth of children acquiring Hepatitis A during their lifetime was estimated along with the costs of the treatments. These expenses were compared with the cost of vaccination. Results: there were 14,682 notices of which 12,102 (82.4%) occurred in children under 15 years of age. The incidence on the population was 37.5/100000. There were 20 deaths, being 7 due to liver failure. Costs with the disease were truly high._. The investment in children vaccination, with two doses (10 USD / dose), was also estimated. A positive cost-benefit relation of the vaccination was observed. For each dollar invested in vaccination, US$ 2.26 are saved on the treatment. Conclusions: the results confirm the positive cost-benefit relation of the vaccine. Since this is the first pharmacoeconomic study on vaccination against hepatitis A in our environment, the need for more in-depth and encompassing studies is highlighted with the goal of complementing a few aspects not explored yet.