Abstract

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE INFLUENZA PROPHYLAXIS WITH INFLUENZA VACCINE (SPLIT VIRION, INACTIVATED) AMONG ELDERLY PATIENTS >65 YEARS OLD IN BULGARIA

*Maria Kamusheva, Maria Dimitrova, Konstantin Mitov, Guenka Petrova

ABSTRACT

Influenza has significant impact on public health and could lead to severe complications, which require hospitalization, or could lead even to death. The influenza infection affects all age groups and complications are more common and more severe in elderly patients over 65 years old with chronic diseases. The goal of the current study is to define the costs and benefits of the prophylaxis of the influenza virus infection among patients over 65 years old with chronic diseases and to assess the budget impact of the Influenza vaccine (split virion, inactivated) on the funding institution for the flu season 2013-2014 in Bulgaria. Pharmacoeconomic analysis (cost-benefit, budget impact analysis) as well as epidemiological and analysis of published studies were performed. Results from the cost-benefit analysis showed that vaccination among patients over 65 years old with chronic disease would lead to additional benefits because of the higher avoided costs for hospitalization in comparison with the cost for vaccination. Budget impact analysis demonstrated significant savings after implementation of flu vaccination among the risk group. In conclusion the vaccination programme with Influenza vaccine (split virion, inactivated) could have a positive impact on avoiding the influenza infection and concomitant complications.

Keywords: Influenza vaccination, cost-benefit, budget impact analysis.