Cost-effectiveness evaluation of gender-based vaccination programs against sexually transmitted infections (Q2438861)

This paper considers two models (with and without age structure) of sexually transmitted infections, in order to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of vaccinating by gender. The first model consists of 6 ODEs for the proportions of the population susceptible, infected, and vaccinated, for both males and females. The steady states of this model are found, both with and without vaccination, and the basic reproduction number \(R_0\) is determined. Global stability of the steady states is determined. Using parameter values consistent with the US and Canada, it is found that vaccinating only females is the most effective use of a limited amount of vaccine. The second (age-structured) model divides each of the above classes into children, adults and elders. A similar analysis is performed, and again it is found that vaccinating only females is most effective. A sensitivity analysis of 10 parameters is performed.