Economic analyses

Is a malaria vaccine a wise investment for countries and international partners?

Countries with malaria face a wide range of challenges. One significant challenge is constructing the optimal menu of interventions to deal with their critical public health problems.

MVI is undertaking a comprehensive scope of economic analyses at the country level, interlinked with more globally oriented Return on Investment analyses. We are working with Johns Hopkins University as well as economists and social scientists in seven African countries to conduct comprehensive economic analyses to inform use of malaria vaccines. The analyses build on other economic work, including that related to intermittent presumptive treatment in infants (IPTI). (Read more on the website of the IPTI Consortium.)

Through our economic work, we will ensure that countries have robust, credible country-level data to answer the following questions: 

  • Is the vaccine cost effective?
  • Does it make sense for us to include this vaccine in our Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) schedule, given the evidence on potential benefits and costs, its cost effectiveness in relation to other available malarial control options, and the competing demands on available resources?
  • Are there possible net savings to the health system as a result of this vaccine, or should we expect additional costs over current EPI expenditure?
  • If the latter, what are the budgetary implications for us?
  • Will the vaccine be both affordable and sustainable?
  • What would be the likely impact on the existing EPI program, and what adjustments might this entail?

Through our economic work, we will also ensure that global-level partners have robust, credible country-level data to understand the following: 

  • The cost-effectiveness of a new vaccine in relation to other vaccines and other available malarial interventions.
  • The budgetary impact of malaria vaccines in a range of countries.
  • The likely impact on country EPI programs, and what adjustments this might entail.
  • Costs of introduction and relationship to other malarial interventions and EPI options.

Our economic work, which began in 2008, will continue for a number of years, as we and our partners implement rigorous, standardized protocols across African countries.