Cost-benefit analysis of hospital based postpartum vaccination with combined tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap).

Objective: To assess the economic benefits associated with hospital-based postpartum Tdap (combined tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis) vaccination.

Methods: A decision tree model was constructed to calculate the potential cost-benefit of this strategy from both a health care system and a societal perspective. Probabilities and costs were derived from published literature, data reported to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and recommendations from expert panels. The maternal vaccination protection period for infants was defined as 7 months, and 10 years of waning immunity following Tdap for birth mothers was estimated in the model. All cost estimates were inflated to year 2012 US dollars and discounted at a 3% annual discount rate.

Results: In the base case from a societal perspective, the expected costs per vaccinated and unvaccinated mother were estimated at $129.27 and $187.97, respectively, suggesting an expected net benefit of $58.70 per vaccinated mother. The overall societal benefits in the cohort of 3.6 million U.S. birth mothers ranged from $52.8-126.8 million, depending on the vaccination coverage level. If including direct medical costs only, the strategy would not generate net savings from a health care system perspective. Annual incidence of pertussis in birth mothers and Tdap efficacy exhibited substantial impact on the model as shown in one-way and two-way sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions: Although postpartum Tdap vaccination is not cost-beneficial from a health care system perspective in the base case, this strategy is likely to generate net benefits from a societal perspective.