Emerg Infect DiseidEmerging Infectious Diseases1080-60401080-6059Centers for Disease Control117476912631863Research ArticleCost-effectiveness of a potential vaccine for Coccidioides immitis.BarnatoA. E.barnato@post.harvard.eduSandersG. D.OwensD. K.University of Pittsburg, Division of General Internal Medicine, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.Sep-Oct200175797806

Coccidioidomycosis, a systemic fungal infection, affects Americans living in the Southwest. We evaluated the cost- effectiveness of a potential vaccine against Coccidioides immitis. Using a decision model we developed, we estimate that among children, vaccination would saved 1.9 quality-adjusted life days (QALD) and $33 per person. Among adults, screening followed by vaccination would save 0.5 QALD per person and cost $62,000 per quality adjusted life year gained over no vaccination. If the birth cohort in highly endemic counties of California and Arizona were immunized in 2001, 11 deaths would be averted and $3 million would be saved (in net present value) over the lifetime of these infants. Vaccination of adults to prevent disseminated coccidioidomycosis would provide a modest health benefit similar in magnitude to other vaccines but would increase net expenditures. Vaccination of children in highly endemic regions would provide a larger health benefit and would reduce total health care expenditures.