Cost-benefit analysis of BCG-vaccination in Austria

Abstract

BCG-vaccination in Austria is performed generally in newborn, but only partially in school children. A cost-benefit analysis was performed considering age-dependent immunizations, tuberculosis morbidity, protection rate and duration of protection, costs of vaccination, costs of tuberculosis therapy, frequency of complications due to vaccination and costs for treatment of these complications. This analysis shows an economic balance between costs and benefits with regard to immunication of newborn, i. e., costs of vaccination are approximately compensated by the saved costs of prevented diseases. In contrary vaccination of school children reveals a considerable economic gain. General revaccination of schoolchildren would make BCG-vaccination much more effective in an economic respect.