Cost/Effective Analysis of Anti-HPV Vaccination Programme in Italy: A Multi-Cohort Markov Model

Abstract

This study estimated the procedural and economic implications of a new quadrivalen anti-HPV vaccination strategy based on a multi-cohort approach, from the prospective of the provider, the Italian Public Healthcare System. We developed a Markov model based on a set of data imputed according to defined transition probabilities, which were function of population demographics and time-dependent characteristics of HPV infection.

The clinical benefits (in terms of the cost of the events prevented) and the costs associated with the vaccination of each single cohort were pooled and compared with cost/benefit data derived from an identical cohort which was not exposed to the quadrivalent vaccine. The economic attractiveness of a quadrivalent anti-HPV vaccination seemed to be dependent upon the age of women vaccinated and the number of cohorts selected.

The decision analysis performed in this study suggested the optimal level of funding required to effectively reduce HPV-induced morbidity and mortality in Italian women. A 3-4 cohorts vaccination strategy emerged as the most cost/effective policy option.

Keywords: Cost, analysis, markov, model, multi-cohort, quadrivalent, vaccination, anti-HPV

JEL Classification: I18