BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological impact and return on investment of the pediatric immunization program (PIP) in Poland from the healthcare-sector and societal perspectives.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A health-economic model was developed focusing on the 9 vaccines, targeting 11 pathogens, recommended by public health authorities for children aged 0-6 years in Poland. The 2019 birth cohort (388,178) was followed over their lifetime, with the model estimating discounted health outcomes, life-years gained, quality-adjusted life-years, and direct and indirect costs with and without the PIP based on current and pre-vaccine - era disease incidence estimates, respectively.
RESULTS: Across 11 targeted pathogens, the Polish PIP prevented more than 452,300 cases of disease, 1,600 deaths 37,900 life-years lost, and 38,800 quality-adjusted life-years lost. The PIP was associated with vaccination costs of €54 million. Pediatric immunization averted €65 million from a healthcare-sector perspective (benefit-cost ratio [BCR], 2.2) and averted €358 million from a societal perspective (BCR, 7.6). BCRs from both perspectives remained > 1.0 in scenario analyses.
CONCLUSIONS: The Polish PIP, which has not previously been systematically assessed, brings large-scale prevention of disease-related morbidity, premature mortality, and associated costs. This analysis highlights the value of continued investment in pediatric immunization in Poland.
