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Cost-effectiveness of influenza vaccination in high-risk children in Argentina
G H Dayan1, V H Nguyen, R Debbag
1Fundación Centro de Estudios Infectológicos, Buenos Aires, Argentina. gdayan@cdc.gov
Insights
Influenza vaccination for high-risk children in Argentina is cost-effective. Routine immunization prevents cases and saves society millions, making it a financially sound public health strategy.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Economics
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Influenza poses a significant health burden on children, particularly those at high risk.
- Economic evaluations are crucial for optimizing vaccination strategies in resource-limited settings like Argentina.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the cost-effectiveness of influenza vaccination in high-risk children in Argentina.
- To compare the economic impact of vaccinating versus not vaccinating this population.
Main Methods:
- A decision analysis model was employed, utilizing published and unpublished data.
- The model simulated direct medical costs and indirect costs associated with parental absenteeism.
- Two strategies were compared: vaccination and no vaccination.
Main Results:
- Vaccinating a cohort of 1,184,748 high-risk children (6 months to 15 years) is projected to prevent 207,331 influenza cases.
- This would reduce hospitalizations by 58,052 days and outpatient visits by 207,331.
- The vaccination strategy is estimated to yield net savings of US$11,894,870 per cohort, or US$10.04 per vaccinated child.
Conclusions:
- Routine influenza vaccination for high-risk children in Argentina is a cost-saving intervention for society.
- The findings support the implementation of widespread influenza immunization programs for this demographic.
Objectives:
our study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of influenza vaccination in high-risk children in Argentina.
Methods:
a decision analysis model was performed, using data from published and unpublished sources, to compare two strategies--to vaccinate or not to vaccinate. We simulated the expected consequences of vaccination on direct medical costs, related to disease management and indirect costs, related to lost parental working days (absenteeism).
Results:
Using base-case assumptions vaccination of high-risk children aged 6 months to 15 years old, in Argentina (estimated cohort of 1184748) would prevent 207331 cases of influenza, resulting in a reduction of 58052 days of hospitalization and 207331 outpatient visits. Vaccination would lead to net savings of US$ 11894870 per vaccinated cohort (US$ 10.04 per vaccinated child).
Conclusion:
our economic analysis shows that in Argentina, routine vaccination of high-risk children against influenza would be cost saving for society.