Consumer willingness to pay for a hypothetical Zika vaccine in Brazil and the implications

ABSTRACT 

Background: Zika virus is a newly emerging infection, associated with increasingly large outbreaks especially in tropical countries such as Brazil. A future Zika vaccine can contribute to decreasing the number of cases and associated complications. Information about consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for a hypothetical Zika vaccine can help price setting discussions in the future in Brazil, starting with the private market. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted among residents of Minas Gerais, Brazil, regarding their WTP for a hypothetical Zika Vaccine. The mean effective protection was 80%, with the possibility of some local and systemic side- effects. Results: 517 people were interviewed. However, 28 would not be vaccinated even if the vaccine was free. Most of the resultant interviewees (489) were female (58.2%), had completed high school (49.7%), were employed (71.2%), had private health insurance (52.7%), and did not have Zika (96.9%). The median individual maximum WTP for this hypothetical Zika vaccine (one dose) was US$31.34 (BRL100.00). Conclusion: Such discussions regarding WTP can contribute to decision-making about prices once a Zika vaccine becomes available in Brazil alongside other ongoing programs to control the virus.

KEYWORDS:

• Arbovirosis
• Brazil
• contingent valuation
• reimbursement
• vaccine
• willingness to pay
• Zika

Author contributions

RMJ, IG, ER, and CR undertook the study and the analysis. RMJ, IG, ER, MG, AGR, BG and CR subsequently revised the draft and produced the final and revised manuscripts. All authors approved the final and revised manuscripts. All authors also agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Acknowledgements

IPG received financial support from CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior). The project was also in part supported by a Newton Advanced Fellowship by the Academy of Medical Sciences to Augusto Afonso Guerra Júnior through the UK Government’s Newton Fund programme.

Declaration of interest

I Piassi Godói received financial support from CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior). The project was also in part supported by a Newton Advanced Fellowship by the Academy of Medical Sciences to AA Gerrra Júnior through the UK Government’s Newton Fund programme. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Reviewer Disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Data availability

The authors can be contacted directly for further details regarding their findings.

Additional information

Funding

Financial support was received by one author from CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior). The project was also in part supported by a Newton Advanced Fellowship by the Academy of Medical Sciences.