Management of Pneumococcal Disease and Economic Implications: a Budget Impact Analysis

Pneumococcal pneumonia has a high clinical burden in terms of morbidity, mortality and hospitalization rate, with heavy implications for worldwide health systems. The socio-economic impact of diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is very important. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the potential economic advantages with the implementation of an active anti-pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine strategy in Campania region (Southern Italy) in two different categories of subjects: adults (aged 50-79) and adults (50-64) +65 at risk (hypertension, nephropathies and heart diseases). Vaccination costs were compared to costs necessary to treat avoidable diseases in the presence and absence of a vaccination program. In particular, a Budget Impact Analysis (BIA) was applied in two different work hypotheses. Offering anti-pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine to the adult population (50-79) was quantified a saving 29 million euros for Italian national health service in five years. Offering anti-pneumococcal vaccine to adults at risk would generate a return of around 10 million euros. This study showed that both hypothesized immunization strategies could produce savings. JEL classification numbers: M15, M21, J58.