Cost-effectiveness analysis of inactivated virosomal subunit influenza vaccination in children aged 3–14 years from the provider and societal perspectives

The costs and benefits of vaccinating a theoretical cohort of 1000 preschool and school age children (3–14 years) with one dose of inactivated virosomal subunit influenza vaccine in primary health care centers of the Catalan Health Service during the fall annual health examination were compared with the current strategy of no routine vaccination. The economic analysis was carried out from the provider perspective (cost-effectiveness analysis) and from the societal perspective (cost-effectiveness and cost–benefit analysis). The time horizon of the study was established at 6 months. In the base case (cost of vaccination of €9.425, cost of paediatric visit plus antibiotic and antipyretic treatment of €42.50, cost of 1 day of hospital stay of €454.25, cost of the work lost by the mother to take care of her ill child of €29.2 and cost of 1 year of quality adjusted life year lost of €10,662), the vaccination does not save money from the provider perspective (net present value = €−1460.51), but the cost-effectiveness ratios are very reasonable (€5.80 per episode of acute febrile respiratory process avoided and €18.26 per quality adjusted life year saved). From the societal perspective, the vaccination saves money (net present value = €+7587.03) and the benefit–cost ratio is 1.80, meaning that €0.80 is saved per euro invested. Our study shows that vaccination of children 3–14 years old with a single dose of inactivated subunit influenza vaccine in primary health care centers during the fall annual health examination provides socioeconomic benefits to the society in addition to substantial health benefits for the child.