Cost-Effectiveness of Vaccine Prevention

Investigators at Mount Sinai School of Medicine reviewed literature for the effectiveness of the vaccine, cost estimates and fatality rates. Increasingly, the medical profession in general recommends people age 50 begin to be screened for diseases that can be treated if detected early. These include breast, prostate and colon cancer. Now, they are beginning to look at whether vaccines are as important.

Their research indicates the vaccination would save medical costs and improve health among high-risk blacks ($27.55 savings per vaccine) and whites ($5.92 savings per vaccine). The researchers report the results support the recommendation to vaccinate high-risk individuals. They also believe people ages 50 to 64 who are not high risk should discuss the need for the vaccine with their doctor.

Since disease risk increases with age, the researchers write it is important to consider revaccinating people older than 65. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pneumococcal disease kills more people in the United States each year than all other diseases that are preventable by vaccine.

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SOURCE: Archives of Internal Medicine, 2003;138:960-968