Re-Evaluating Cost Effectiveness Of Universal Meningitis Vaccination (Bexsero) In England: Modeling Study
This Pharmaeconomic study deals with the re-evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of universally applied meningitis vaccination. The test case was conducted in England and utilizes a modeling approach to statistically develop a conclusion that addresses the study problem. The objective of the study is to utilize both a mathematical and an economic model that will be used in predicting the economic impact of the use of the Bexsero vaccine, which is identified as the universal preventive medication for protecting people from group B meningitis (meningococcal disease). The economic and mathematical models will predict the epidemiological aspect of the vaccine use as well. The nature of the study highlights the applicability of quantitative analysis to address of the objectives of the study.
Perspective of the Study
The target population of the study is susceptible persons from age 0-99 in England. The program thus takes the perspective of the administrator of the meningitis vaccine (health institutions), which is the correct perspective in this case since the economic and epidemiological aspects are being examined. An alternative perspective could be those of medical regulators, that will ultimately create policies and guidelines that would promote, limit, or remove the use of the Bexero vaccine on the basis of its cost-effectiveness in treating meningococcal diseases.
Alternatives Proposed
Because the study focuses on economic and epidemiological modeling, alternative approaches have not been considered in the article.
Type of Analysis
The study utilized a transmission dynamic model that was structured to show both the direct and indirect effects of using the Bexero vaccine in England. The exact model utilized a susceptible-infected-susceptible model, which uses a 100-age class structure. The model is used to cover a period of time, recovery rate, individuals that are exposed to the meningococcal disease, as well as other variables.
Cost Perspective
There is a cost perspective undertaken based on British pounds (2011 prices). Appropriate discount and inflation factors were also considered.
Outcomes of the Study
The study’s analysis indicated that of the cases examined, there was a high degree of aversion to detrimental meningococcal diseases, which meant that the utilization of the universal preventive medication showed a high degree of success. The conclusions are justifiable and fall within the expected and logical conclusions.
Scenario Analysis
Scenario analysis indicating an examination of various treatment cases were included in the study and was utilized to cross-evaluate the cost effectiveness of the treatment across several subcategories of target respondents.
Quality of the Study
The study is of high quality and addresses all the concerns highlighted in evaluating Pharmaeconomic studies. The study covers the cost-effectiveness of a common medical treatment and utilizes a widely accepted statistical tool to determine the statistical significance of the treatment. The approach is straightforward and practical and can be tested for accuracy and correctness using similarly acceptable statistical tools and procedures.
I also find the presentation to be straightforward and useful. The manner by which the findings were presented highlighted thoughtfulness in providing information that is understandable even to a layman. I find that similar studies of this nature have been completed using the same approach, which means that this type of study is accepted in scholarly communities.
Bibliography
BMJ. Re-evaluating cost effectiveness of universal meningitis vaccination (Bexsero) in England: modelling study. 19 October 2014. <http://www.bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g5725>.
