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Government publishes much-awaited report on cost-effectiveness of vaccination programmes

Takeaway

  • One of the recommendations from the recently published Cost-Effectiveness Methodology for Vaccination Programmes and Procurement (CEMIPP) report suggests reducing the cost-effectiveness threshold, which could make it harder for vaccination programmes to receive approval.

The government recently published the long overdue report on the cost-effectiveness of vaccination programmes and has invited consultation on the same, owing to increasing pressure from Members of Parliament and the public.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation in 2015 had concluded that extension of the meningitis B vaccine programme to age groups beyond 1 year would not be cost-effective. However, the unfortunate death of 2-year-old Faye Burdett in 2016 culminated in a huge online petition demanding the vaccine to be offered to all children up to age 11. The Petitions and Health committees subsequently asked the Department of Health to publish the CEMIPP report which explains the rationale for funding immunisation programmes.

One of the key recommendations from the report is reducing the cost-effectiveness threshold for vaccination, which could be challenging for vaccines to be deemed cost-effective and get approved at current prices. The recommendation asks for dropping the cost-effectiveness threshold from £20,000 per quality adjusted life year (QALY) to £15,000 per QALY. Additionally, there is a call for reducing the discount rate for health impacts from 3.5% a year to 1.5% a year, suggestive of higher weight being provided to costs and benefits further in the future.

As a part of the consultation which will run until 21 May 2018, the government has invited health economists, public health specialists, epidemiologists, clinicians and patient groups to comment on the appraisal methods for cost-effectiveness of vaccination programmes.


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