Hepatitis B vaccine: a pharmacoeconomic evaluation of its use in the prevention of hepatitis B virus infection.

Worldwide, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer. Infants and children are at the greatest risk of becoming chronically infected with HBV, and therefore at the greatest risk of developing long term sequelae. Immunisation against HBV represents an important means of controlling the disease. Hepatitis B vaccines are effective in preventing HBV infection and are well tolerated. In addition, they are suitable for integration into mass neonatal vaccination programmes. While there are considerable economic data concerning hepatitis B vaccination, differing methodologies and end-points present a challenge in reviewing these studies for consistent findings. Immunisation strategies should be implemented in accordance with local area disease incidence and patterns of HBV transmission, and will be influenced by regional budgetary constraints. In conclusion, universal neonatal vaccination is both cost effective and appropriate for control of HBV infection in regions of medium or high endemicity. In low endemicity areas, selective vaccination of high-risk groups is cost effective, but its impact on the incidence of HBV infection will depend on the ability to reach these groups. Expanded vaccination strategies may be appropriate where local conditions prohibit efficient access to high-risk groups.