Abstract
Lifelong vaccination can be seen as one of the cornerstones of healthy aging. Nowadays, the cost–effectiveness question is generally raised, particularly with regard to vaccines. Healthy aging also needs to be cost effective. Cost–effectiveness analysis is conducted with well-defined guidelines that are, for example, available for both The Netherlands and Belgium. This article considers cost–effectiveness of lifelong vaccination and the application of such guidelines, exemplified with vaccination against rotavirus, pertussis and pneumococcal infections to protect infants, adolescents, adults and elderly individuals against these infections. Notably, guidelines for both countries show similarities (differential discounting) and differences (inclusion of indirect costs and quality-adjusted life year gains for parents/caregivers) that impact upon vaccine analyses.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
MJ Postma received grants, honoraria and travel stipends from various pharmaceutical companies, including those interested in the subject matter of this paper. 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.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.