Determination of the Most Cost Effective Pre-Outbreak Immunization Rate through a Novel Approach

This research sought to improve the cost effectiveness of Pre-Outbreak Immunization (POI). This end was achieved through the development of a novel quantification for cost effectiveness, the Morbidity Avoidance Ratio (MAR), which can be widely applied in impoverished nations most affected by vaccine preventable diseases. Using a simulation for disease spread programmed into MS Excel, I calculated the MAR for idealized cases of measles, mumps, and rubella. I also determined based upon this analysis that the most cost effective POI rate is the herd immunity threshold, and found that as the POI rate increased, the cost effectiveness increased up until the threshold is reached. This research demonstrates a novel approach to analyzing POI and can help improve the cost effectiveness of outbreak control.