Estimating the economic impact of pandemic influenza: An application of the computable general equilibrium model to the UK

► Flu preparedness planning focuses on population health and health sector resilience. ► Policies and behaviour incur a higher economic burden than illness alone. ► PI could reduce UK GDP by 0.3-0.6%, £3.5-7.4bn. ► School closure and worker absenteeism could increases costs to 1.1-1.4%, £14.7-18.5bn. ► Results highlight the need to balance “business as usual” with “social distancing”.