Scott N, et al. - According to their hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence, delivery costs, and birth dose coverage and timing, the researchers evaluated the cost-effectiveness of the controlled temperature chain (CTC) strategy for the HBV birth dose across six world regions and 72 countries. The data presented in this work showed a CTC outreach strategy that improves the timing and coverage of the HBV birth dose vaccination was probably cost-saving and lessen the burden of HBV infection associated with perinatal transmission.

Methods

• For this analysis, the researchers calculated per 1000 births the total HBV-related disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) and costs, comprasing vaccine delivery costs and costs associated with HBV-related disease, with and without the CTC strategy by use of a mathematical model of perinatal HBV transmission and disease progression.

Results

• According to the findings obtained, a CTC strategy produced health benefits in all regions and was cost-saving in the regions of east Asia and Pacific, Latin America and Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, and north Africa and Middle East.
• Data reported that the CTC strategy cost US$0·15 (IQR -7·11 to 4·75) per DALY averted in the central and eastern Europe and central Asia region and $79·72 (66·47 to 94·47) in the south Asia region.
• It was noted that within individual countries, more savings were achieved and more DALYs averted in areas with above average HBV prevalence, below average birth dose coverage, or later than average birth dose delivery.