Sources and Characteristics of Utility Weights for Economic Evaluation of Pediatric Vaccines: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background Cost-effectiveness analysis of pediatric vaccines for infectious diseases often requires quality-of-life (utility) weights. Objective To investigate how utility weights have been elicited and used in this context. Methods A systematic review was conducted of studies published between January 1990 and July 2013 that elicited or used utility weights in cost-effectiveness analyses of vaccines for pediatric populations. The review focused on vaccines for 17 infectious diseases and is presented following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. Results A total of 6410 titles and abstracts and 225 full-text articles were reviewed. Of t..