In Spain, the cost of vaccination rises to 1519 euros per person per year, but it is still very profitable: from 6 to 282 euros, this is the full price

Last year, the average cost of vaccinating each healthy person was 1,519 euros (1,541 euros for women and 1,498 euros for men), which is twice as much as in 2019 but is still very profitable for the country. national health systema single admission for influenza costs more than 3,200 euros, and a single admission for meningitis costs more than 9,700 euros.

The reason for this increase is that every year, the common lifelong vaccination program expands the conditions it protects against or the indications for existing vaccines, but these vaccines are updated and recommended to a wider group of people.

For example, last week, public health committee Approved to increase immunization against rotavirus – which causes acute gastroenteritis in children and is the leading cause of hospitalization for acute diarrhea in Spain – but is not planned until 2025.

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In 2023 alone, four new tests were added compared to a year ago: universal human papillomavirus (HPV) test for boys aged 12; Influenza in children 59 months of age, herpes zoster in children 65 months of age, and meningococcal disease caused by serogroup B in childhood. The last two items are the largest contributors to cost growth in 2023.

Thus, this calendar – which does not include Coronavirus disease– Currently includes 15 diseases: polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b; measles, rubella, mumps; hepatitis B; meningococcal disease; chickenpox; HPV; pneumococcal disease; band Herpes zoster and influenza.

In parallel, there is a plan for risk groups and for other specific situations, also analyzed in the study “Update of lifetime vaccination costs in Spain 2023”, prepared by researchers from Spain ministry of health and Carlos III Health Institute.

To measure the value of vaccination, the burden of morbidity and mortality prevented needs to be considered as well as other factors such as social inequalities, avoided absenteeism, health care utilization or long-term disability.

Under this premise, based on 100% coverage, the cost of vaccinating all target groups within one year is expected to be approximately 565 million euros (plus another 500 million euros for the immunization of those born in 2023), accounting for 23% of the total health %Expenditure on preventive and public health services accounts for only 0.5% of total health expenditure.

In 2019, the average costs for procedures related to vaccination-preventable diseases, such as hospitalization for bacterial meningitis or influenza, were €9,711 and €3,276 respectively.

“Thus, although modifications in the vaccination program resulted in a substantial increase in spending, it represented only a small proportion of total health spending,” the authors emphasize.

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As the HPV vaccine becomes more widely available, the only difference between women and men now is the recommended immunizations during pregnancy (dTpa – diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis – and influenza).

Therefore, the estimated cost of vaccinating healthy people is €1,519, 125% more than before the pandemicwhen the average is 675; for women the value reaches 1,541.56 euros (230 euros from management) and for men 1,498.18 euros (216 euros from wearing).

Broken down by age, the average fee is €839 for under 14s and €596.50 for those aged 15 to 83.

Meanwhile, the most costly risk conditions are asplenia and complement deficiency and primary immunodeficiency (€3,159.8 and €2,566 respectively).

Not all vaccines or recipients have the same impact on this cost.The study collected Price excluding VAT The cost of each drug, of which almost 15% corresponds to the average administrative cost (approximately 6 euros, except for influenza in adults, costs 108 euros).

• Hexavalent vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type B and hepatitis B): given at 2, 4 and 11 months, costing €29.95 per injection.
• Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis/polio (dTpa/VPI) is given at 6 years of age to children who have been vaccinated at 2, 4 and 11 months of age at a cost of €22.29.
• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (VNC13): 3 punctures for infants aged 2, 4 and 6 months, worth €42.85 each. For people over 65 years of age, the pneumococcal disease (VN) vaccine costs €15.45.
• Meningococcal disease: serogroup B (MenB), children aged 2, 4 and 12 months should be vaccinated at a cost of €68/dose. Serogroup C (MenC) is suitable for infants aged 2 and 4 months and costs 17 euros per dose. The ACWY meningococcal vaccine is given at age 12 and costs €32.30 per injection.
• Measles, rubella and mumps (MMR, TV): the price for a dose given after 12 months is 10.48 euros; at 12 years of age, this rises to 36.7 with chickenpox (VZV).
• Chickenpox (VVZ): at 15 months, worth €24.99.
• HPV: Two doses of vaccine at age 12 cost €90.
• The cost of dTpa for pregnant women is €17.79.
• Pertussis (Td) for 14 and over 65 years is worth €5.59.
• Shingles (HZ): for people over 65 years old, the price is 260 euros.
• Influenza: among the adult population, rises to 280 euros. The cost drops to €70.39 for pediatric patients and €11.31 for pregnant women.

(Information prepared by EFE)