Population-wide benefits of routine vaccination of children against influenza.
Using a stochastic simulation model of influenza transmission, clinical illness, and economic costs, we estimated the population-wide benefits of routinely vaccinating US children (ages 6 months to 18 years) against influenza. Disease burden was projected to decline as a result of both reduced susceptibility to infection among vaccinees and reductions in disease transmission to others in the community. Vaccination of 20% of children would reduce the total number of influenza cases in the US by 46%; 80% coverage would reduce the total number of cases by 91%. Similar reductions were estimated to occur in influenza-related mortality and economic costs.
Weycker
Derek
D
Policy Analysis Inc., Four Davis Court, Brookline, MA 02445, USA.
Edelsberg
John
J
Halloran
M Elizabeth
ME
Longini
Ira M
IM
Nizam
Azhar
A
Ciuryla
Vincent
V
Oster
Gerry
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000465:Algorithms; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017046:Cost Savings; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000191:economics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D032541:Mass Vaccination / Q000191:economics; D018803:Models, Economic; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011153:Population; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D007252:Influenza Vaccines