Economic evaluation of Japanese encephalitis vaccination programme in Uttar Pradesh, India: a cost-benefit study.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a major cause of child mortality and disability in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The disease is vaccine preventable since 1941. Yet no major vaccination was available for public health intervention. After a massive breakout in 2005, the government launched vaccination programme in 11 most endemic districts and is planning to incorporate the vaccine in routine immunization with DPT (Diptheria, pertussis and tatanus) booster dose. The paper aims to estimate discounted net benefits and internal rate of return (IRR) to evaluate the economic feasibility for elimination of JE by utilizing available secondary information.

METHODS: Cross-sectional data were collected from different sources to estimate societal costs and benefits from JE interventions with a 5 yr project period. Total costs are estimated based on the unit cost of inputs used for interventions. The benefits are derived from resources saved due to the reduction of JE incidence. Net benefits and IRRs are estimated based on standard procedures used in the field of economics.

RESULTS: A total discounted net benefit of JE vaccination is Rs 598.52 million with 291% IRR. The result suggests that for every rupee invested in vaccination at present will yield Rs 11 benifit per person over five years. The regional benefits from the interventions will be greater than the sum of benefits gained by the individual country due to its nature of public goods.

CONCLUSION: Vaccination against JE is a good investment opportunity despite all operational issues associated with it.