Health Affairs, doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.27.2.w96 (Published online January 23, 2008) © 2008 by Project HOPE	New Online   How Would Obama, McCain Cover The Uninsured?   Debating Cost Of Uninsured   Try Medicare-For-All   HA Blog Top 10

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Benefits And Costs Of Immunizing Children Against Influenza At School: An Economic Analysis Based On A Large-Cluster Controlled Clinical Trial

¹ Jordana Schmier is managing scientist at Exponent in Alexandria, Virginia.
² Su Li is manager, Health Outcomes and Pharmacoeconomics, at MedImmune Inc. in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
³ James King is a professor, Department of Pediatrics, at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore.
⁴ Kristin Nichol is core investigator, Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
⁵ Parthiv Mahadevia is senior director, Health Outcomes and Pharmacoeconomics, at MedImmune Inc.

^*Corresponding author.

Abstract

Current influenza vaccination recommendations focus on immunizing high-risk people; however, influenza mortality and morbidity remain elevated. U.S. policymakers are considering expansion of flu vaccination recommendations to include school-age children (ages 5-18). Children are at risk for flu and propagate epidemic spread. Immunizing children at school offers an efficient approach to covering this population. This study examines the cost consequences of a large multistate, school-based influenza immunization program. The results show that immunization reduces disease among children and adults and is cost-saving to society. An epidemiologically based influenza immunization policy might be an important supplement to the existing risk-based policy. [Health Affairs 27, no. 2 (2008): w96-w104 (published online 23 January 2008; 10.1377/hlthaff.27.2.w96)]

Key Words: Consumer Issues, Health Promotion/Disease Prevention, Maternal And Child Health, Vaccines

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