Due to epidemiological transition, a rise in hepatitis A outbreaks among adults in the state of Kerala, India has been noted. This has intensified the need for hepatitis A vaccination (HAV), but evidence regarding the cost effectiveness of HAV, which is essential to guide policy decisions, is lacking. This study was undertaken to evaluate the cost effectiveness of HAV among adults in Kerala state.

To determine the cost effectiveness of HAV from a societal and a payer perspective, a Markov model was constructed with a cycle length of two months. The lifetime costs and outcomes for HAV and no vaccination were compared using a discount rate of 3 percent. Data for the model input parameters of cost, coverage, and effectiveness were derived from the published literatures. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were applied. A threshold based on the per capita gross domestic product (GDP) was used (1 GDP = INR 127,702.48 [USD 1,886.03]).

The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for both societal and payer perspectives were negative, indicating that HAV was dominant, being less costly and more effective than no vaccination. The discount rates and utility values for adults with HAV were the most sensitive parameters.

A HAV strategy would be cost-saving, compared with no vaccination, in the Kerala state of India.