Potential impact and cost-effectiveness analysis of rotavirus vaccination of children in Israel.

Background: Rotavirus is a common cause of acute gastroenteritis in children under 5 years of age. Two effective vaccines against rotavirus gastroenteritis were recently licensed in many countries throughout the world. The study aimed to investigate the cost effectiveness of vaccinating an Israeli birth cohort of 143 500 children.

Methods: The cost-effectiveness analysis was determined using a decision analytical model, based on evidence-based estimates of the medical burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis in Israel.

Results: According to our model, a routine rotavirus immunization program using Rotarix and RotaTeq would prevent 17,801 and 13,288 office visits and 645 and 535 hospitalizations every year, respectively. When direct healthcare costs and societal costs are taken into account, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per gained QALY for Rotarix and RotaTeq are $10,995 and $30,674, respectively.

Conclusion: Rotavirus vaccination can be considered a cost-effective intervention in Israel, depending on the precise vaccine price.