This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Vaccine programs may benefit poorest in developing nations most
Vaccines could possibly prevent up to 36 million deaths between 2016 and 2030 in 41 low- and middle-income countries, with the poorest populations benefiting most from immunization programs, according to recently published study results.
“This study estimated the future distributional impact of vaccination on mortality and medical impoverishment for 10 antigens in 41 low- and middle-income countries for cohorts vaccinated in the period 2016-2030,” the researchers wrote. “We found that … the projected coverage of vaccine programs would likely relieve more mortality and household economic burden for the poor than for the rich.”
The reesarchers conducted a study of vaccines caused by 10 antigens, including measles, hepatitis B, HPV, yellow fever, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Streptococcus pneumoniae, rotavirus, rubella, Neisseria menigitidis serogroup A and Japanese encephalitis.
Routine and campaign immunization program effects were studied by conducting distributional analysis for each antigen. Future health gains and household financial consequences that corresponded to the 2016-2030 vaccination period in 41 low- and middle-income countries (total population, 1.52 billion) out of 73 countries eligible for support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, were determined.
Differential health impact, as assessed by the number of deaths averted, and household economic impact, or the number of cases of medical impoverishment prevented, of the 10 antigens and their vaccines were estimated.
The researchers estimated approximately 36 million future deaths averted for cohorts vaccinated in 2016-2030 for the 10 antigens in the 41 countries. The largest percentages of averted deaths were for vaccines for measles (61%), hepatitis B (18%) and HPV (7%).
When all vaccine-preventable diseases were included, the researchers reported that more deaths were projected for the poorest quantile.
“Vaccines are known to have substantial health impact and to be cost-effective,” the researchers concluded. “In addition to highlighting these benefits, this study aimed to show not only that vaccines could have significant health and economic benefits, but also that these benefits could largely accrue among the poor. With reducing poverty and improving equity on the global development agenda, sustained investments in vaccines could make a large contribution toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and universal health coverage.”
Disclosures: Infectious Diseases in Children could not determine the authors’ relevant financial disclosures at time of publication.
