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Household-based costs and benefits of vaccinating healthy children in daycare against influenza virus: results from a pilot study.

Authors :
Pisu, Maria
Meltzer, Martin I.
Hurwitz, Eugene S.
Haber, Michael
Source :
PharmacoEconomics; 2005, Vol. 23 Issue 1, p55-67, 13p, 5 Charts, 1 Graph
Publication Year :
2005

Abstract

<bold>Background: </bold>Vaccinating children against influenza virus may reduce infections in immunised children and household contacts, thereby reducing the household-based cost associated with respiratory illnesses.<bold>Objective: </bold>To evaluate the impact of influenza virus vaccination of daycare children on costs of respiratory illnesses of the children and their household contacts from the household and societal perspective.<bold>Study Design: </bold>Cost analysis of data from a randomised controlled trial covering the period November to April of 1996-7 and 1998-9. Children (127 in 1996-7 and 133 in 1998-9) from daycare centres in Californian (USA) naval bases received influenza virus vaccine (inactivated) or hepatitis A virus vaccination.<bold>Outcome Measures: </bold>Direct and indirect costs (1997 and 1999 US dollars) of respiratory illnesses in households of vaccinated and not vaccinated daycare children, excluding the cost of vaccination.<bold>Results: </bold>There were no statistically significant differences in household costs of respiratory illness between households with or without influenza virus-vaccinated children (USD 635 vs USD 492: p = 0.98 [1996-7]; USD 412.70 vs USD 499.50: p = 0.42 [1998-9]). In 1996-7, adult and 5- to 17-year-old contacts of vaccinated children had lower household costs than contacts of unvaccinated children (USD 58.50 vs USD 83.20, p = 0.01 and USD 32.80 vs USD 59.50, p = 0.04, respectively), while vaccinated children 0-4 years old had higher household costs than unvaccinated children in the same age group (USD 383 vs USD 236, p = 0.05). In 1998-9, there were no differences within individual age groups. Results from societal perspective were similar.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Overall, from both the household and societal perspectives, there were no economic benefits to households from vaccinating daycare children against influenza virus. However, we found some over-time inconsistency in results; this should be considered if changing recommendations about routine influenza virus vaccination of healthy children. Our study size may limit the generalisability of the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
11707690
Volume :
23
Issue :
1
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
PharmacoEconomics
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
15969687
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.2165/00019053-200523010-00005