CHE Seminar Series: Adult vaccination in Asia and the Pacific policies, financial needs, and fiscal impacts
Immunization is one of the most cost-effective tools for improving health and well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated the importance of having a well-functioning vaccination delivery system that can deliver vaccines to all population groups. Adult immunization rates throughout the world, however, remain low due to gaps in immunization policy and implementation. This paper assessed the costs to 40 Asian Development Bank (ADB) developing member countries (DMCs) to implement adult vaccination programs recommended in national policy documents, including for COVID-19, over a 5-year period (2023–2027). Costs were calculated as the sum of estimates for vaccines, wastage rates, ancillary supplies, and health system expenses. The fiscal impact of the additional funding to provide full coverage of the adult immunizations was measured as a change in the general government expenditure and general government health expenditure. The magnitude of the fiscal pressure and cost drivers analysed in this paper provides a basis for further discussions to inform the rethinking and reform of adult and COVID-19 immunization policies and financing in Asia and the Pacific.
Speaker profile
Dr. Ben Coghlan is a public health physician and medical epidemiologist focusing on strengthening health systems to address major public health challenges in Asia and the Pacific including COVID-19, climate and environmental change, ageing and non-communicable diseases, the digital transformation of health care, and achieving universal health coverage.
Weekly seminar series
As part of our Centre's vibrant research culture, we host a weekly seminar series. Visiting and invited researchers present current research relating to the economics of health and wellbeing, and the healthcare sector. Visitors are welcome to join these sessions where discussion and debate is encouraged.
For further information on our seminar series, please contact Trong-Anh.Trinh@monash.edu.
Event Details
- Date:
- 14 October 2024 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
- Venue:
- Caulfield campus, Building H, level 9, room H9.14
- Categories:
- CHE Seminar; General
Description
Immunization is one of the most cost-effective tools for improving health and well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated the importance of having a well-functioning vaccination delivery system that can deliver vaccines to all population groups. Adult immunization rates throughout the world, however, remain low due to gaps in immunization policy and implementation. This paper assessed the costs to 40 Asian Development Bank (ADB) developing member countries (DMCs) to implement adult vaccination programs recommended in national policy documents, including for COVID-19, over a 5-year period (2023–2027). Costs were calculated as the sum of estimates for vaccines, wastage rates, ancillary supplies, and health system expenses. The fiscal impact of the additional funding to provide full coverage of the adult immunizations was measured as a change in the general government expenditure and general government health expenditure. The magnitude of the fiscal pressure and cost drivers analysed in this paper provides a basis for further discussions to inform the rethinking and reform of adult and COVID-19 immunization policies and financing in Asia and the Pacific.
Speaker profile
Dr. Ben Coghlan is a public health physician and medical epidemiologist focusing on strengthening health systems to address major public health challenges in Asia and the Pacific including COVID-19, climate and environmental change, ageing and non-communicable diseases, the digital transformation of health care, and achieving universal health coverage.
Weekly seminar series
As part of our Centre's vibrant research culture, we host a weekly seminar series. Visiting and invited researchers present current research relating to the economics of health and wellbeing, and the healthcare sector. Visitors are welcome to join these sessions where discussion and debate is encouraged.
For further information on our seminar series, please contact Trong-Anh.Trinh@monash.edu.