[Study on the economic burden of varicella in Suzhou City from 2017 to 2022]

This study investigated the medical expenses and vaccination records of varicella patients using medical insurance settlement for medical treatment in Suzhou city from 2017 to 2022, systematically assessing the impact of implementing a free childhood varicella vaccine (VarV) strategy on the economic burden of varicella in the region. The results showed that patients without an immunization history accounted for a relatively high proportion of medical visits (84.22%). Among hospitalized patients, those without immunization history incurred higher per capita medical costs, which exhibited a statistically significant increasing trend over time (Z=2.89, P_trend=0.003). No hospitalized varicella cases were found among individuals who had received two doses of VarV from 2017 to 2022. Following the introduction of the free two-dose VarV vaccination in 2020, the total economic burden in that year decreased to 59.65% of 2019. In summary, the free two-dose VarV vaccination strategy may have a positive effect on reducing the disease burden, though long-term observation remains necessary.