Cost-effectiveness of measles elimination in Latin America and the Caribbean: a prospective analysis.

Background: In 1994, the Americas set a goal of interrupting indigenous measles transmission from the Western Hemisphere by 2000. To accomplish this goal, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) developed an enhanced measles vaccination strategy.

Methods: Cost data was collected at PAHO for Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries covering 96% of the region's population on components of the routine programs, and the 'follow-up' activities from member countries. In order to interpret our findings we have compared the present scenario regarding measles with one that would have ensued if past trends continued.

Results: For the entire LAC population, estimated cost of elimination program will be US$ 571 million in present value terms.

Interpretation: The vaccination strategy toward achieving elimination of measles costs USD 244 million, incremental from the cost of vaccination before the elimination program. Within 2000-2020, the current program will have prevented the occurrence of 3.2 million cases of measles and 16,000 deaths. Thus, vaccination strategy prevents a single case of measles at the cost of USD 71.75 and prevents a death due to measles at the cost of USD 15,000. The case fatality rate depends on a well functioning treatment program for measles cases. The vaccination strategy saves a total of USD 208 million in treatments costs due to reduced incidence of measles.