title: Health and economic impact of the seasonal influenza vaccination programme in England.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The seasonal influenza vaccination programme in England targets individuals over 65 years old and in clinical risk groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  A model of influenza transmission and disease was fitted to weekly primary care consultations due to influenza in a typical pre-pandemic season (2006/2007). Different scenarios were constructed about influenza severity and how well vaccines match circulating strains to assess the impact and cost-effectiveness of the current vaccination programme.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A well-matched vaccine may reduce the incidence of laboratory-confirmed influenza illness from 8.2% (95% range 4.3-13%) to 5.9% (95% range 2.9-9.7%), with 56-73% of this due to indirect protection. The programme is likely to be cost-effective unless both low severity and poor matching is assumed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current seasonal influenza vaccination programme appears to substantially reduce disease burden and provides good value for money.
authors.affiliation: Health Protection Agency, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baguelin
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jit
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: William John
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Edmunds
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics* / Q000276:immunology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D014611:Vaccination / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines