Disposição para pagar para uma vacina hipotética contra malária no Norte do Brasil

Abstract

Malaria is an infection caused by protozoa of the genus Plasmodium, considered one of the most important global health problems, associated with records, mainly in tropical countries like Brazil. A future vaccine, effective against mala-ria, may help to reduce the number of cases and complications related to the dis-ease. Thus, information about consumers' willingness to pay for a hypothetical malaria vaccine can support discussions associated with pricing future products. In this context, a cross-sectional study was carried out to examine the willing-ness to pay from consumers in ten municipalities in the state of Pará, in the second half of 2019, for a hypothetical single dose vaccine against malaria, with an average effectiveness of 80%. 616 interviews were conducted, of which 602 people responded that they agreed to be vaccinated, while 14 individuals would not be vaccinated, even though the vaccine was free. Additionally, 61% were female, 49.8% had completed high school, 97% were working and only 27% had health insurance. The individual maximum willingness to pay, based on the me-dian value obtained, associated with this hypothetical vaccine, was R$ 50.00 (U $ 11.88). It is concluded, then, that these results can contribute to the decision on prices, once a malaria vaccine is available.