Background: Pneumonias are the most frequent infectious diseases, characterized by a high prevalence especially among children and adults at risk. The socio-economic impact caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is evaluated in terms of morbidity, death rate and hospitalizations.
Objective: The aim of the study was to demonstrate the potential economic advantages by implementation of an active anti-pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine strategy in Campania region (Southern Italy) in two different categories of subjects, children (aged 0-12), and adults (aged 50- 79) at risk (hypertension, nephropathies, COPD and heart diseases).
Methods: Vaccination costs were compared with costs necessary to treat avoidable diseases in the presence and absence of a vaccination program.
Results: Offering anti-pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine to the paediatric population was quantified as saving one million euros for Italian national health service in two years. In addition, offering anti-pneumococcal vaccine to adults at risk would generate a return of around 29 million euros.
Conclusion: In both cases, offering anti-pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine was proven to be a helpful political health strategy, not only in consideration of a reduction of cases but also in view of the favourable economic impacts.
Keywords: 13-valent vaccine; Pneumococcal disease; Streptococcus pneumoniae; bacterium; budget impact analysis; etiologic agent..
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