[Influenza vaccination in the elderly population in Mexico: economic considerations].
OBJECTIVE
To estimate costs and health outcomes that could be attained by an influenza vaccination program in adults 65 years of age and older in Mexico.


METHODS
Between June and October 2004, a model was constructed to estimate the number of life years lost due to influenza and the fraction that could be prevented by vaccination among adults 65 years of age and older. The model also allowed the estimation of the net cost of a vaccination program, including both the cost of delivering the vaccine and savings from prevented infections and their treatment costs.


RESULTS
Using two scenarios of vaccine effectiveness, between 7 454 and 11 169 life years could saved by the vaccine if given to all adults 65 years and older in Mexico, with a net cost per life year saved between 13 301 and 21 037 Mexican pesos (about dollar 1 210 and dollar 1 910 US dollars).


CONCLUSIONS
Influenza vaccination among the elderly in Mexico would result in savings per life year saved well below the Mexican gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, suggesting, even without examining alternative uses for these resources, that this is a cost effective intervention in Mexico and probably also in other middle-income developing countries.
Gutiérrez
Juan Pablo
JP
División de Economía y Políticas de la Salud, Centro de Investigación en Sistemas de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México. jpgutier@insp.mx
Bertozzi
Stefano M
SM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics; D016527:Drug Costs; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000191:economics*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000191:economics / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D014611:Vaccination / Q000191:economics*
D007252:Influenza Vaccines