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Childhood vaccination against chickenpox: an analysis of benefits and costs
D M Huse1, H C Meissner, M J Lacey
1Policy Analysis Inc., Brookline Massachusetts 02146.
Insights
Routine childhood varicella vaccination offers significant economic benefits. Vaccinating 100,000 children prevents numerous chickenpox cases, saving millions in medical costs and work loss.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Economics
- Immunization Policy
Background:
- Varicella (chickenpox) infection poses significant economic burdens due to medical treatment and work loss.
- Routine childhood vaccination is a key strategy in infectious disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the economic costs and benefits of routine childhood vaccination against varicella infection.
- To determine the cost-effectiveness of varicella vaccination in the U.S. pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- A decision-analytic model was used to simulate a hypothetical cohort of 100,000 children.
- The model compared the incidence and costs of chickenpox with and without varicella vaccination at 15 months of age.
- Key outcomes included vaccination costs, cumulative chickenpox incidence, medical treatment costs, and work loss to age 25.
Main Results:
- Routine varicella vaccination for 100,000 children costs an estimated $4,812,000.
- Vaccination is projected to reduce chickenpox cases from 95,400 to 4,800 by age 25.
- Net economic benefits are estimated at $6,647,000, or $66.47 per vaccinee, due to reduced medical and work loss costs.
Conclusions:
- Childhood varicella vaccination is a cost-effective intervention.
- The findings support the inclusion of varicella vaccination in routine U.S. immunization schedules.
- Widespread vaccination yields substantial public health and economic advantages.
Objective:
To estimate the economic costs and benefits of routine childhood vaccination against varicella infection.
Design:
Decision-analytic model of the incidence and costs of chickenpox in children assumed to receive varicella vaccine at age 15 months in conjunction with the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, or not to be vaccinated against varicella.
Patients:
Hypothetical cohort of 100,000 children.
Main Outcome Measures:
Costs of vaccination, cumulative incidence of chickenpox to age 25 years, and related disease costs, including medical treatment and work loss.
Results:
Vaccination of 100,000 children against varicella at age 15 months would cost $4,812,000. The expected number of cases of chickenpox to age 25 years would be reduced from 95,400 to 4800; costs of medical treatment and work loss would correspondingly decline by $1,678,000 and $9,781,000, respectively. On balance, vaccination is estimated to yield net economic benefits of $6,647,000, or $66.47 per vaccinee.
Conclusion:
Vaccination against varicella infection is cost-effective and should be part of the routine immunization schedule for U.S. children.