Trend Analysis of Economic Losses due to Anti-Rabies Serum and Vaccine Consumption in Iran (2015-2022)

Background and Objectives: Rabies is a public health threat worldwide. This study aimed to determine the amount and trend of the costs of anti-rabies serum and rabies vaccine in Iran between 2015 and 2022. Methods: Using national data from March 2015 to March 2022, the cost of anti-rabies serum, human rabies vaccine, and the total cost of both were determined. The annual trend of the serum, vaccine, and total cost was determined using Joinpoint regression with a maximum of one. Results: The highest rabies serum and vaccine costs were observed in 2021 and 2020 (58.3 and 6.874 US million dollars), respectively. Average Annual Percent Change was statistically significant (p<0.001) and indicated an increasing trend in the costs of anti-rabies serum. The trend in vaccine costs between 2015 and 2020 was increasing, and the annual percent change between 2015 and 2020 (p˂0.001) and 2021 (p˂0.001) were statistically significant. The average annual percentage change was statistically significant for the total costs of anti-rabies serum and rabies vaccine (p˂0.001) and indicated an increasing trend in Iran. Conclusion: The lowest rabies vaccine costs were observed in 2021, which might be due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To reduce rabies losses, the domestic production of anti-rabies serum, implementing rabies control measures in unowned dogs, and increasing public awareness about animal bites, particularly dog bites, are recommended.