Health economic evaluation of EV71 vaccination in children under the school-age population in Guangdong Province, China

Background: This study aims to evaluate the health economics of hand-foot-mouth disease enterovirus 71 (EV71) vaccination for the population of appropriate age in Guangdong Province. Methods: ) of this disease was simulated. Then, the incidence of HFMD under different vaccination coverage rate (0, 40, 70, and 90%) was simulated in four scenarios. Cost-effectiveness analysis was used to evaluate the health economics. Results: The self-funded voluntary EV71 vaccination strategy implemented in Guangdong Province has effectively reduced the disease economic burden of EV71-type HFMD, and the disease economic burden saved during the peak seasonal segment of HFMD in 2017 was $1,080,000. Meanwhile, Scenario 2, 3, and 4 would each result in a cumulative reduction of 6,525, 9,556, and 10,989 confirmed cases, respectively, with net monetary benefits of approximately $6.55 million, $9.59 million, and $11.2 million. The study results show that the current vaccine pricing is not cost-effectiveness, while the vaccine price is lower than $13.15, EV71 vaccination in Guangdong Province has a cost-effectiveness advantage. Conclusion: Vaccination can reduce the incidence of HFMD caused by EV71, which helps to improve the status of HFMD and decreases the disease burden.