A decision model was developed
to calculate the net cost of rotavirus vaccination, specifically
the difference between the cost of implementing a 2-
dose rotavirus vaccine in the national immunization program
and the treatment costs saved by vaccination (Figures 1 and
2). The initial branch in the decision tree represents the decision
to introduce the rotavirus vaccine in the current immunization
schedule. The subsequent chance nodes use estimates of the
proportion of infants vaccinated, vaccine efficacy, the probability
of developing rotavirus infection based on the different
levels of vaccination (none, partial, or full vaccination), and
the proportions of those with the disease, those requiring a
physician’s visit and/or hospitalization, and those who die.