[Cost/effectiveness comparison of the vaccine campaign and reduction of sick leave, after vaccination against influenza among the Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital staff]

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the cost of vaccination for the Clermont-Ferrand University hospital (CHU) personnel and the cost of sick leave among vaccinated and non-vaccinated employees in 2003, 2004, and 2005.

DESIGN

The study included 7256 CHU staff (medical and non-medical personnel). The cost of sick leave was calculated on the basis of short-term disease (four to nine days) over the three months of the epidemic season in 2004, 2005, and 2006.

RESULTS

In 2005, the overall cost of vaccination was 4.02 euros per vaccinated employee. Over the three years, the total sick leave reached 804 days for employees vaccinated against 5670 for non-vaccinated employees. In 2003, 2004, and 2005, the vaccinal coverage was 13, 20.5, and 30.1%, the mean duration of sick leave was 0.16, 0.17, and 0.18 day among vaccinated staff, and 0.26, 0.39, and 0.34 day among non-vaccinated staff corresponding to a benefit per vaccinated employee of 5, 26, and 20 euros, respectively for each year. The total benefit for the institution was 86,458 euros (4630+38,168+43,660). If the vaccinated rate of 75% recommended by the Haute Autorité de santé (HAS) had been reached, the additional benefit would have been 250,193 euros (33,157+152,256+65,180).

CONCLUSIONS

The number of sick leave days and the related cost were approximately twice less important for vaccinated employees, economically justifying this vaccination including a period of weak epidemic, as checked over three consecutive years.

Étude d'impact d'une campagne active de vaccination antigrippale du personnel hospitalier du CHU de Clermont-Ferrand

OBJECTIVE

Protecting health care units from influenza epidemics has a double purpose: to decrease the mortality rate of patients at risk and to reduce work-leave in medical staff. An annual vaccination appears to be the most effective prevention against influenza. In France however the vaccinal coverage of health workers does not exceed 15%.

METHOD

In the 2003-2004 winter, the department of occupational health and the nosocomial disease committee of the Clermont-Ferrand Teaching Hospital initiated an active vaccination campaign. Three joint actions were carried out: date and place of vaccination sessions were individually addressed to every healthcare worker, meetings on prevention of influenza were held, as well as vaccination sessions on the work place in exposed units.

RESULTS

Significant results were noted: vaccination rate increased 2.6 fold compared to the previous year (4.8 to 12.6%) and a vaccinal coverage rate of 29% in the exposed units.

COMMENTS

The results even if far from national objectives encourage the pursuit of the campaigns promoting information and vaccination on the work place. The high frequency of reported postinjection adverse effects (1 out of 3) should be taken into account in future information campaign.