Meningococcal C vaccination is cost effective

The meningococcal C vaccination campaign, launched in November 1999, has rapidly reduced the incidence of serotype C meningococcal disease in the target age groups. Using cost effectiveness analysis, Trotter and Edmunds (p 809) estimate the cost per life saved to be £6259 and find vaccination to be most cost effective when the incidence of the disease is high. School based vaccination is more cost effective than the routine vaccination of infants because delivery costs are lower and fewer doses are required. Immunisation of infants aged under 1 year was least cost effective, as a three dose schedule is required.