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Vaccinating healthcare workers against influenza to protect the vulnerable--is it a good use of healthcare resources? A systematic review of the evidence and an economic evaluation
- Source :
- Vaccine. 24(19)
- Publication Year :
- 2006
-
Abstract
- Influenza causes substantial mortality in high-risk groups despite targeted vaccination programmes. This paper considers whether it is worth vaccinating healthcare workers (HCWs) against influenza to protect high-risk patients in a series of systematic reviews and an economic evaluation. Eighteen studies are included. Vaccination was highly effective in HCWs, with minimal adverse effects. Two trials assessed patient mortality after vaccinating HCWs, both of which showed a reduction. Despite recommendations, less than 25% of HCW in Europe and the UK are vaccinated. Five studies looked at programmes to increase uptake; these produced increases of 5%-45%. Published economic evaluations did not include patient benefit; therefore, an economic evaluation using UK data was undertaken. In the base case, vaccination was cost saving (pounds 12/vaccinee). In the most pessimistic scenario it cost pounds 405/life-year gained. Effective implementation should be a priority.
- Subjects :
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
Health Personnel
MEDLINE
Environmental health
Health care
Influenza, Human
Medicine
Humans
Adverse effect
General Veterinary
General Immunology and Microbiology
Cost–benefit analysis
business.industry
Vaccination
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
United Kingdom
Europe
Patient benefit
Infectious Diseases
Systematic review
Influenza Vaccines
Economic evaluation
Immunology
Molecular Medicine
Health Resources
business
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 18732518 and 0264410X
- Volume :
- 24
- Issue :
- 19
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Vaccine
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....9127c4ae5d3d7276dd7f8aa9ba1e990d