Economic evaluation of meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) vaccines: A systematic review

Background: Meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) has emerged as the leading cause of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in several countries following the release of effective vaccines against serogroups A, C, W, and Y. In 2013, however, the first multicomponent MenB vaccine (Bexsero (R)) was licensed in Europe. Aim: To review the evidence on the cost-effectiveness of vaccination against MenB. Methods: Searches were performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, NHS EED, Econlit, Tufts CEA registry, and HTA. Three reviewers independently screened and selected studies. Using a narrative synthesis, studies were categorized by vaccination strategies. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Comparative Health Economics Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) checklist. Results: 13 studies were included. Ten studies were conducted in the European region and three in the Americas. None of the vaccination strategies were considered cost-effective. Including herd effects improved value for money for MenB vaccines. Routine infant vaccination was the most effective short-term strategy, however, adolescent strategies offered the best value for money. Without herd immunity, routine infant vaccination had the lowest incremental cost-effectiveness ratio estimates. Conclusion: Routine MenB vaccination does not offer substantial value for money, mainly due to high vaccine costs and low disease incidence. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Y

Automated summary

The cost-effectiveness of MenB vaccination has been reviewed, showing that none of the vaccination strategies are considered cost-effective. Adolescent vaccination strategies offer the best value for money, although routine infant vaccination was found to be the most effective short-term strategy. The lack of substantial value for money is mainly attributed to high vaccine costs and low disease incidence.