Annual public health and economic benefits of seasonal influenza vaccination: a European estimate

Abstract

BackgroundVaccination is currently the most effective means of preventing influenza infection. Yet evidence of vaccine performance, and the impact and value of seasonal influenza vaccination across risk groups and between seasons, continue to generate much discussion. Moreover, vaccination coverage is below recommended levels.MethodsA model was generated to assess the annual public health benefits and economic importance of influenza vaccination in 5 WHO recommended vaccination target groups (children 6 – 23 months of age; persons with underlying chronic health conditions; pregnant women; health care workers; and, the elderly, 65 years of age) in 27 countries of the European Union. Model estimations were based on standard calculation methods, conservative assumptions, age-based and country-specific data.ResultsOut of approximately 180 million Europeans for whom influenza vaccination is recommended, only about 80 million persons are vaccinated. Seasonal influenza vaccination currently prevents an annual average of between 1.6 million and 2.1 million cases of influenza, 45,300 to 65,600 hospitalizations, and 25,200 to 37,200 deaths. To reach the 75% vaccination coverage target set by the EU Council Recommendation in 2009, an additional 57.4 million person would need to be vaccinated in the elderly and other risk groups. By achieving the 75% target rate set in EU-27 countries, average annual influenza- related events averted would increase from current levels to an additional +1.6 to +1.7 million cases, +23,800 to +31,400 hospitalization, +9,800 to +14,300 deaths, +678,500 to +767,800 physician visits, and +883,800 to +1,015,100 lost days of work yearly. Influenza-related costs averted because of vaccination would increase by an additional + €190 to + €226 million yearly, in vaccination target groups.ConclusionsFull implementation of current influenza vaccination recommendations of 75% vaccination coverage rate (VCR) in Europe by the 2014–2015 influenza season could immediately reduce an important public health and economic burden.

Commentary on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Dose Distribution in 195 countries (2004-2013): Little Progress in Estimated Global Vaccination Coverage

“…Although vaccine distribution is only a crude measure of vaccine uptake, the findings from this study agree with those of a Europeanwide survey of the influenza vaccination Venice II project [1,2], which show that the uptake rate for at-risk populations is still well below the WHO-recommended target of having 75% covered.…”

“…Although the large variability in study outcomes may offer room for scientific debate about the "true" vaccine effectiveness in any particular year and geographical area, overall, the benefits of influenza vaccination are well documented [2,3] and form the scientific basis for current policy recommendations. Because overall, the influenza vaccines in the USA and Europe are the same, vaccine effectiveness cannot explain the disparity in trends of vaccine distribution rates in the 2 respective continents.…”

“…Interestingly, Preaud et al [2] compared the health benefits between the current vaccines with an ideal 75% coverage rate and hypothetical vaccines of higher vaccine effectiveness (80%) with current vaccination rates. Overall, the gained health benefits of both scenarios were gloomily similar.…”

“…This trend is alarming given the potential of influenza vaccines to substantially reduce the annual disease burden and given their proven safety [2][3][4]. The underuse of influenza vaccines is a serious public health concern that needs to be addressed.…”

Cell culture-based influenza vaccines: A necessary and indispensable investment for the future

“…Describing these studies in detail goes beyond the scope of this review, however, studies modeling the impact of vaccination have unequivocally shown that vaccines are critical to the reduction of influenza-related illness and healthcare costs, and that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the costs. [4][5][6][7] This article reviews the current status of cell culture-based influenza vaccine platform, its advantages and drawbacks, and the future of influenza vaccine research.…”