Rotavirus vaccination in northeast Brazil: a laudable intervention, but can it lead to cost-savings?

Abstract

This study assessed the family and heath system's costs due to diarrhoea in children <2 years old, before/after the introduction of a rotavirus vaccine in Brazil in 2006. Information on diarrhoea health care costs and morbidity were obtained from the primary health care system, the National Public Health database (2004-2008) and care-givers. Diarrhoea ambulatory consultations and hospitalizations had a declining trend during the entire period, with additional steeper reductions after vaccine introduction. The vaccine thus is associated with reduced diarrhoea consultations and hospitalization costs and families' out-of-pocket expenses. Despite these gains, the overall health system's costs have increased.