Abstract

HOANG, Minh Van et al. Cost of providing the expanded programme on immunization: findings from a facility-based study in Viet Nam, 2005. Bull World Health Organ [online]. 2008, vol.86, n.6, pp. 429-434A. ISSN 0042-9686.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0042-96862008000600010.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate and analyse the costs for providing the expanded programme on immunization (EPI) in a rural community in the north of Viet Nam in 2005. METHODS: An ingredient approach was used to collect cost data from the perspective of the service providers. FINDINGS: The total annual cost of EPI in Bavi district was US$ 58 460 [purchasing power parity (PPP) 282 076]. Vaccines and supplies were the largest cost category (33%), followed by personnel costs (30.2%). The largest share of the total cost was due to activities at commune level (38%). The average cost per fully vaccinated child (FVC) was US$ 4.81 (PPP 23.21), much lower than the figure of US$ 15 that is generally accepted as the cost-effective threshold for EPI in developing countries. CONCLUSION: This empirical study indicates that EPI has been implemented efficiently in rural Viet Nam, but that opportunities exist to make it even more efficient.