A health economic model for evaluating a vaccine for the prevention of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia in the UK.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A live-attenuated vaccine aimed at preventing herpes zoster (HZ) and its main complication, post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is available in Europe for immunocompetent adults aged 50 years and more. The study objective is to assess the cost effectiveness of a vaccination program for this population in the UK.

Methods

A state-transition Markov model has been developed to simulate the natural history of HZ and PHN and to estimate the lifetime effects of vaccination in the UK. Several health states are defined including good health, HZ, PHN, and death. HZ and PHN health states are further divided to reflect pain severity.

Results

The model predicts that a vaccination strategy for those aged over 50 years would lead to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of po

SUBMITTER: Moore L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2881001 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature