Immunization Newsbriefs

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March 21, 2001

“Flu Shots for Healthy Adults May Save Money”

Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com)

(03/20/01); McKinney, Merritt

A report in the March 12 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that widespread influenza vaccination of healthy working adults, despite the fact that they may only have a minor chance of developing severe complications of the flu, may be cost effective.  Dr. Kristin L. Nichol of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis performed a cost-benefit analysis comparing the costs of vaccination with the costs prevented by immunization.  Nichol ultimately determined that about 12 missed workdays and 2.5 trips to the doctor’s office could be eliminated for every 100 healthy workers who receive flu shots, a savings of approximately $14 per individual.  Commenting on the findings, Dr. Carolyn Buxton Bridges of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that any cost savings as a result of widespread vaccination would depend on how well the vaccine matches the flu type in circulation during any given season, the severity of flu outbreaks, and several other factors, and she emphasized that vaccination efforts should remain focused on people at high risk for complications.

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.