Considerations for implementing a new combination vaccine into managed care.

Background: The control and elimination of several deadly childhood diseases are a result of extensive vaccination efforts made by pediatricians, family practitioners, public health providers, and health outreach systems. Managed care can assist this effort through facilitating the delivery of affordable quality healthcare to patients.

Objective: To describe the considerations made by managed care when implementing a new vaccine into practice.

Results: Managed care plans often assess the medical necessity, consumer acceptance, and pharmacoeconomic benefits of a vaccine when considering whether it can be implemented into practice. DTaP-HepB-IPV (Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Adsorbed, Hepatitis B [Recombinant] and Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine [Combined]), a new combination vaccine, has demonstrated similar immunogenicity and safety when compared with separately administered component vaccines. Use of this combination vaccine will help to simplify the current immunization schedule, and therefore decrease the number of injections infants receive in the first year of life, favorably influencing consumer perception of this new vaccine. A reduction in the number of office visits as a result of fewer injections and improved vaccine compliance may result in a positive pharmacoeconomic impact on parents, physicians, and payers. Reduced administration fees, fewer needed syringes, and decreased risk of needlestick injury resulting from the use of combination vaccines all may have a positive impact on acceptance of these vaccines by managed care organizations.

Conclusion: DTaP-HepB-IPV is expected to meet the tests of medical appropriateness, consumer acceptance, and pharmacoeconomic reasonableness, thereby fulfilling the value proposition of a new combination vaccine for managed healthcare plans.