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The costs of registry-based immunization interventions.
K J Rask1, C W LeBaron, D M Starnes
1Division of General Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
|November 10, 2001
Summary
Registry-based immunization interventions can be cost-effective. This study found that autodialer and outreach worker interventions, especially for larger populations, offer savings compared to nonregistry methods.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Economics
- Immunization Management
Background:
- Immunization registries aim to reduce intervention costs, but community-based registry intervention costs remain unevaluated.
- Previous research has not comprehensively assessed the economic impact of registry-based immunization strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively measure the costs of three registry-based immunization interventions.
- To evaluate the influence of targeted population size on intervention cost estimates.
- To compare these registry-based intervention costs with previously published studies.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial involving 3050 infants (<12 months) into four arms: autodialer, outreach worker, combination, or usual care.
- Cost data collection included capital equipment, supplies, travel, and personnel.
- Analysis focused on monthly costs per child and the impact of population size.
Main Results:
- Monthly costs per child were $1.34 (autodialer), $1.87 (outreach worker), and $2.76 (combination).
- Personnel costs constituted the largest portion of incremental costs for all interventions.
- Larger targeted populations significantly reduced autodialer costs per child, with a modest effect on outreach costs.
Conclusions:
- Registry-based immunization interventions, by managing larger cohorts, appear more cost-effective than nonregistry interventions.
- Further research is required to determine if registry maintenance costs can be offset by these savings.