Vaccination versus treatment of influenza in working adults: a cost-effectiveness analysis

Purpose: To determine the cost-effectiveness of influenza vaccination, antiviral therapy, or no intervention for healthy working adults accounting for annual variation in vaccine efficacy. Methods: We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis based on published clinical trials of influenza vaccine and antiviral drugs, incorporating 10 years of surveillance data from the World Health nt of influenza-like illness with antiviral Organization. We modeled influenza vaccination, treatments drugs, or both, as compared with no intervention, targeting healthy working adults under age 50 years in the general community or workplace. Outcomes included costs, illness days, and quality-adjusted days (.) gained. Conclusion: Influenza vaccination for healthy working adults is reasonable economically, and under certain circumstances is cost saving. Antiviral therapy is consistently cost saving. (C) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.