Long-acting monoclonal antibody likely cost-effective for preventing infant RSV in Mali

Abstract

Long-acting monoclonal antibody vaccination is likely to be cost effective for preventing infant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Mali from both a government and donor perspective at $US3 per dose, say the authors of a study published in Vaccine. The researchers created a model of the ageand season-specific risks of RSV lower respiratory tract infections in infants from birth to six months. A comparison of the health and cost outcomes at specific price points was made for the status quo (no prevention), intra-seasonal monthly administration of licensed monoclonal antibody (palivizumab), pre-seasonal birth-dose administration of a long-acting monoclonal antibody, and maternal vaccination. The economic evaluation was from the perspectives of the government, household, donor (Gavi), and society. Data were taken from Malian RSV cohort studies, and long-acting monoclonal antibody efficacy data were taken from clinical trials; cost data were taken from local sources. At $US3 per dose from the societal perspective, current monoclonal antibody, long-acting monoclonal antibody, and maternal vaccine resulted in ICERs* of $4280, $1656, and $8020 per disability-adjusted life-year averted, respectively, compared with no prevention. From the Malian government perspective, the respective total annual budget impact of these strategies would be $1 208 498, $404 484, and $602 598. These results suggest that long-acting mAb [monoclonal antibody] may provide better value than either short-acting mAb or maternal vaccine in Mali and similar low-income countries , conclude the authors.