Influenza Vaccination Among Healthy Employees: A Cost-Benefit Analysis

Abstract

The cost of influenza vaccination and influenza infections was evaluated in a controlled study among healthy municipal homemakers. Acute respiratory infections were followed clinically and with laboratory samples for 8 months. Full follow-up was achieved in 351 persons in the intervention group, of whom 47% obtained vaccination, and 492 controls. Influenza infection was confirmed in 10 employees (8 of these in the control group) and other viral infections in 6 employees (5 of them controls). All infections occurred in non-vaccinated persons. The relative risk of infection in the control group was 2.9 (95% CI 0.6-13.4) for influenza and 3.1 (0.9-10.8) for all respiratory infections. The mean sick leave for influenza was 4.9 days. The cost per immunization was FIM 141, and the average cost per influenza infection FIM 1183. The cost per infection averted was FIM 6270, and the equivalent cost for immunization FIM 26.52. Influenza vaccination had a slight protective effect against both influenza and other respiratory infections. The cost of vaccination programmes exceeded the benefit from averted infections. Optimal vaccination strategies for healthy adults need to be planned individually with minimal loss of working time.

A population‐based estimate of the economic burden of influenza in Peru, 2009–2010

“…The mean number of work days lost because of influenza in our study was similar to that reported from other countries such as France, Finland, Italy, Japan, and the United States 11, 27, 28, 29, 30. Our results were in keeping with various studies that suggest that indirect costs comprise the bulk of the economic burden associated with influenza illness in middle‐ and high‐income countries 5, 31, 32.…”

Cost-Benefit Analysis of a Strategy to Vaccinate Healthy Working Adults Against Influenza

“…For example, in one study when vaccination required 2 hours of lost working time per person vaccinated, vaccination was not cost saving. 28 This study probably underestimates the magnitude of the costs of influenza and savings due to vaccination. The economic value of leisure time or the value that individuals place on avoidance of suffering was not included in the model.…”

“…In one recently published study 28 in which participants experienced low illness rates, vaccination was associated with net costs that exceeded the benefits. In another trial 13 that spanned 2 seasons (1 of which was characterized by a poor match between vaccine and circulating virus strains), vaccination was associated with health but not economic benefits.…”

Can a universal influenza immunization program reduce emergency department volume?

“…18 Since 1989 Ontario has provided yearly influenza vaccinations for persons at high risk of influenza complications (i.e., people with chronic cardiac or pulmonary disorders, those over the age of 65, residents of long-term care facilities and health services workers). The cost-effectiveness of vaccinating low-risk people remains controversial, [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] and although numerous studies have looked at the causes of ED utilization and overcrowding there are no data suggesting influenza causes overcrowding. [31][32][33][34][35][36] However, although universal vaccination may have little influence on ED volumes, vaccinating individuals at high risk for complications arising from influenza provides an average direct cost savings of $117 per person, in addition to reducing the number of hospitalizations and deaths.…”