This paper reports on the first country-case study of the incremental costs of immunizing uncovered populations with basic EPI antigens. Many countries report being “stuck” at a given level of immunization coverage because of the high unit cost of reaching additional populations.
The overall objectives of the study from which this paper is drawn are to: (1) identify populations that are excluded from immunization coverage; (2) analyze the reasons for exclusion; (3) estimate the incremental cost of expanding coverage to reach the excluded; and (4) project the need for incremental financing in both the short- and long-run.
The overall study includes a survey of 71 countries eligible for GAVI Global Fund support, a literature review, interviews of immunization experts, and in-depth case studies in a sample of countries. The survey, literature review, and expert interviews are in progress. Their results (reported on separately) will be used to choose countries in which to perform case studies of the incremental cost of reaching the uncovered. The first of the case studies will be completed in summer 2001.
The case studies will examine the cost of alternative ways of reaching the uncovered to determine which ones are more cost-effective and to estimate the total incremental cost and unit costs of fully immunized children.
The results of the overall study will contribute to knowledge about (1) cost-effective approaches to reaching the uncovered and (2) the incremental resources needed to cover all children with immunizations in the specific countries studies and worldwide.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation, participants will be able to: 1) List the population groups that are more likely to be under-served for immunizations ; 2) Identify the underlying reasons for immunization exclusions; 3) Recognize cost-effective strategies to expand immunization coverage to under-served populations.
Keywords: Immunizations, Cost Issues
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.