DO HEALTHY PEOPLE NEED TO GET VACCINATED?

Rationale for vaccination of healthy adults Absenteeism due to influenza in the adult workforce impacts on productivity Influenza infection causes disruption of business, educational and social activities Illness due to influenza interferes with childcare and other domestic activities Vaccination reduces the chance of healthy adults spreading infection to those at risk of serious disease

Cost effectiveness of influenza vaccination In 1995, among individuals aged 18–64 years, influenza was responsible for: –200 million days of restricted activity –100 million days of bed disability –75 million cases of work absenteeism –22 million healthcare provider visits On average, vaccinating healthy working adults is cost saving –Mean savings of US$ per person vaccinated –Vaccination generates a net saving 95% of the time Nichol KL. Arch Intern Med 2001; 161: 749–59.

Influenza vaccination benefit in healthy, working adults 1997–98 Vaccine virus differed from the predominant circulating viruses Vaccine efficacy: 50% Vaccination did not reduce influenza-like illness (ILI), physician visits or lost workdays Net societal cost: US$ per person compared with no vaccination 1998–99 Vaccine and predominant circulating viruses were well matched Vaccine efficacy: 86% Vaccination reduced: –ILI by 34% –physician visits by 42% –lost workdays by 32% Net societal cost: US$ per person compared with no vaccination Bridges CB et al. JAMA 2000; 284: 1655–63.

Influenza vaccination benefit in healthy, working adults Bridges CB et al. JAMA 2000; 284: 1655–63. Number of workdays lost due to ILI Placebo groupVaccine group Lost workdays reduced by 32% in 1998–99 Double-blind, randomised, placebo- controlled trial Healthy adults 18–64 years employed full-time by a US manufacturing company n = 1191

Benefits of influenza vaccination In the elderly and those at risk of severe or complicated influenza, vaccination substantially reduces the risk of illness, hospitalisation or death For people in regular contact with the above risk groups (e.g. healthcare workers or family members) vaccination reduces the risk of them infecting their contacts For other people, influenza vaccination reduces the financial and social costs of illness

By courtesy of APACI Asia-Pacific Advisory Committee on influenza