Comparison of the epidemiology and cost of Haemophilus influenzae type b disease in five western countries.
To determine and compare the cost of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease in Australia, Finland, Israel, Switzerland and the United Kingdom a collaborative study was undertaken. The incidence of Hib disease varies in these 5 countries from 34 to 58.5 cases per 100,000 children less than 5 years of age. Although the incidence of meningitis in this age group is similar (between 18 and 26/100,000) in these countries, the incidence of epiglottitis varies from 0 to 22.7/100,000. The cost of hospitalization and the frequency of sequelae are similar for 4 of the 5 countries; however, the break even cost of a vaccination program to prevent 90% of Hib disease is estimated to vary from $22 to $84 per child (US$). Because of a lower incidence of Hib disease and lower cost for hospitalization, these costs are considerably less than those for the United States ($301.64 using similar calculations).
Clements
D A
DA
Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
Booy
R
R
Dagan
R
R
Gilbert
G L
GL
Moxon
E R
ER
Slack
M P
MP
Takala
A
A
Zimmermann
H P
HP
Zuber
P L
PL
Eskola
J
J
D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004826:Epiglottitis / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008583:Meningitis, Haemophilus / Q000191:economics / Q000401:mortality; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology