Epidemiology and Infection

Table of Contents - 2009 - Volume 137, Issue 06  

Original Papers

Vaccines

Human papillomavirus vaccination: what is the best choice? A comparison of 16 strategies by means of a decisional model

R. GASPARINIa1 c1, D. AMICIZIAa1, P. MANFREDIa2, F. ANSALDIa1, C. LUCIONIa3, G. GALLELLIa1 and D. PANATTOa1

a1 Department of Health Sciences of Genoa University, Genoa, Italy

a2 Department of Statistical and Mathematical Economics, Pisa University, Pisa, Italy

a3 Wolters Kluwer Health/ADIS International Ltd, Milan, Italy

SUMMARY

Some European countries decided to include human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines in national immunization schedules. In order to help decision makers choose the best vaccination policy for females, a decisional model has been developed. The study was performed from the National Health Service perspective. Several hypotheses of multi-cohort vaccination policies were compared. ‘Potentially avoidable infections’ were chosen as the outcome. The model envisioned a short-term scenario (2008–2011). The best policy was that of vaccinating 12-year-olds and, a year later, those aged 14–16 years; the most expensive strategy was that of vaccinating 12-year-old females and, after 1 year, vaccinating those aged 15, 18 and 25 years. The sensitivity analysis showed that coverage rate has a great effect on the cost of avoidable infections. The study offers stake-holders an important datum-point for the choice of the best HPV policy vaccination in the short term. Indeed, it could generate interesting savings for the National Health Service and a rapid HPV immunization of young girls.

(Accepted September 05 2008)

(Online publication October 17 2008)

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Correspondence:

c1 Author for correspondence: Professor R. Gasparini, Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132 Genova, Italy. (Email: gasparini@unige.it)

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