Avoiding Trouble Ahead: Lessons Learned and Suggestions for Economic Evaluations of COVID-19 Vaccines

Chris Painter (), Wanrudee Isaranuwatchai, Juthamas Prawjaeng, Hwee Lin Wee, Brandon Wen Bing Chua, Vinh Anh Huynh, Jing Lou, Fang Ting Goh, Nantasit Luangasanatip, Wirichada Pan-Ngum, Wang Yi, Hannah Clapham and Yot Teerawattananon
Additional contact information
Chris Painter: Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program
Wanrudee Isaranuwatchai: Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program
Juthamas Prawjaeng: Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program
Hwee Lin Wee: National University of Singapore
Brandon Wen Bing Chua: National University of Singapore
Vinh Anh Huynh: National University of Singapore
Jing Lou: National University of Singapore
Fang Ting Goh: National University of Singapore
Nantasit Luangasanatip: Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
Wirichada Pan-Ngum: Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
Wang Yi: National University of Singapore
Hannah Clapham: National University of Singapore
Yot Teerawattananon: Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program

Applied Health Economics and Health Policy, 2021, vol. 19, issue 4, No 2, 463-472

Abstract: Abstract With vaccines for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) being introduced in countries across the world, policy makers are facing many practical considerations about how best to implement a vaccination programme. The supply of vaccines is insufficient for the global population, so decisions must be made as to which groups are prioritised for any vaccination and when. Furthermore, the aims of vaccination programmes will differ between countries, with some prioritising economic benefits that could stem from the relaxation of non-pharmaceutical interventions and others seeking simply to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases or deaths. This paper aims to share the experiences and lessons learned from conducting economic evaluations in Singapore and Thailand on hypothetical COVID-19 vaccines to provide a basis for other countries to develop their own contextualised economic evaluations, with particular focus on the key uncertainties, technical challenges, and characteristics that modellers should consider in partnership with key stakeholders. Which vaccines, vaccination strategies, and policy responses are most economically beneficial remains uncertain. It is therefore important for all governments to conduct their own analyses to inform local policy responses to COVID-19, including the implementation of COVID-19 vaccines in both the short and the long run. It is essential that such studies are designed, and ideally conducted, before vaccines are introduced so that policy decisions and implementation procedures are not delayed.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1007/s40258-021-00661-5

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