PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 521 - 10 Feb 2007

Increasing influenza vax coveragecost saving in the EU

Increasing influenza virus vaccination coverage acrossthe 25 EU member states would considerably reduce thenumber of influenza cases and lead to cost savings,according to the results of a model.

Researchers evaluated the outcomes and costsassociated with increasing influenza vaccinationcoverage in the EU.*

It was estimated that nearly 223.4 million individualswere at risk for influenza across the 25 countries,comprising 49% of the total population. Increasingvaccination coverage among the at-risk population from35.4% to 100% would lead to the avoidance of7.22 million influenza cases and reductions in primary-care visits and hospitalisations (–1.96 million and–796 743, respectively). Mortality would be expected tofall by 68 537 deaths. Based on five countries (France,Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK), increasedvaccination coverage would cost €1.52 billion for thevaccine and its administration.** Cost reductions of€39.45 million and €1.59 billion for primary-care visitsand hospitalisations, respectively, would offset thevaccination programme cost.* Four of the researchers were affiliated with Solvay Pharmaceuticals.** 2005 values

Ryan J, et al. Establishing the health and economic impact of influenza vaccinationwithin the European Union 25 countries. Vaccine 24: 6812-6822, No. 47-48, 17Nov 2006 801017969

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PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 10 Feb 2007 No. 5211173-5503/10/0521-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved