Cost analysis of immunization for East Coast fever by the infection and treatment method

207 Mukhebi, A.W., Morzaria, S.P., Perry, B.D., Dolan, T.T. and Norval, R.A.I., 1990. Cost analysis of immunization for East Coast fever by the infection and treatment method. Prevo Vet. Med., 9: 207219. East Coast fever is a major disease of cattle in eastern, central and southern Africa. Its control has relied on the effective control of the vector tick, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. Recently, however, immunization using the infection and treatment method has provided a possible practical alternative, and field trials are underway in several countries of the region. This study provides an assessment of the cost of the infection and treatment method based on a hypothetical national laboratory designed to produce sufficient vaccine to immunize 100 000 cattle per annum. The major cost components for the construction of the laboratory, and for the production and delivery of the vaccine were identified. They were quantified and costed for an assumed site in Kenya over a planning period of 30 years. The costs involved were separated into capital and operating, in both local and foreign currency components. The total cost was expressed as the cost of immunization per animal. The cost of vaccine production was expressed as the cost per dose produced. A sensitivity analysis was performed to provide probable ranges for the cost per animal and per dose. The total cost of the method to the government would amount to Kenya Shillings (Kshs) 118.7 million (US$ 7.0 million), of which capital costs were Kshs 12.7 million (US$ 0.7 million) and operatingcosts were Kshs 95.2 million (US$ 5.6 million). (This included a 10% contingency ofKshs 10.8 million (US$ 0.6 million) which was added to the capital and operating costs to account for unforeseen costs.) The local currency portion of the total cost was Kshs 29.2 million CUSS 1.7 million) or 25% of the total, while the foreign currency portion amounted to Kshs 89.5 million (US$ 5.3 million) or 75%. For the 30-year planning period, 2.9 million cattle were assumed to be immunized. The cost oflife-Iong immunization per animal was Kshs 40.36 (US$2.37), with a range ofKshs 36.31-50.45 (US$2.14-2.97). The cost of vaccine production per dose was Kshs 15.20 (US$ 0.89), with a range ofKshs 7.62-20.07 (US$ 0.45-1.18).