DECADE OF VACCINE ECONOMICS
The Decade of Vaccine Economics (DOVE), housed at the International Vaccine Access Center at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, aims to generate economic evidence on vaccine impact in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The project began in 2011 and is in its fourth phase. Phases I-III focused on building economic models to estimate the cost of illness, return-on-investment, and the cost of financing vaccine programs. Phase IV aims to expand on previously developed economic models by updating the estimate of the return-on-investment (ROI) of vaccines. Additional DOVE IV projects include collecting primary data on the cost of illness in two LMICs, reviewing existing data on the cost of vaccine-preventable diseases, and piloting contingent valuation methods in Bangladesh.
The DOVE project comprehensively explored the cost of measles. This includes hospitalization, ambulatory episodes, government spending, caregiver-incurred costs, productivity loss, and out-of-pocket payments.
DOVE conducted a cost-of-illness study in Uganda, generating cost estimates from the perspectives of the public healthcare system, the caregivers, and society. This study is now available in Vaccine: X
Study estimates that between 2021 and 2030, immunization programs in 73 LMICs will prevent over $782 billion. Return on investment is estimated to be US$54 per $1 spent.
Mark your calendars! The International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) is hosting a series of webinars to celebrate World Immunization Week, April 24-30, 2020.
We estimated the societal cost of an episode of pneumonia, diarrhea and measles in Bangladesh and Uganda between $65 and $198: about 7-12% of the countries’ GDP per capita.
The Decade of Vaccine Economics (DOVE) project at IVAC-JHSPH published a new methodology report, developed collaboratively with DOVE-ROI Core Advisory Group members from 9 institutions to support Gavi’s mid-term review and investment case.
Did you know that the models developed by the DOVE project estimate the costs averted by vaccination? The models focuses on ten antigens and 94 low- and middle-income countries, 2001-2030. Results are used at the global and regional level to advocate for new vaccine introduction and increased coverage.
A recent commentary by the DOVE project explored the economic burden of pneumonia, diarrhea, and measles for households in Uganda. This is the first-ever study of such kind in Uganda, and policy makers are taking notice
Pneumonia, Diarrhea, and Measles force Bangladeshi households to make difficult financial decisions when illnesses arise. The Decade of Vaccine Economics study continues to shed light on the importance of preventing common childhood illness. Read more here
Local engagement and empowerment have been essential for the DOVE study to develop cost of illness estimates and apply them to policymaking and program planning in Uganda. Here are some ideas and tools you can use...
Research helps stakeholders in Bangladesh and other countries make more informed decisions about the true economic burden of childhood diseases and better evaluate investments in vaccines. Read more here