Does flu vaccination justify the expense?
How cost-effective is vaccination?
The main evidence for the cost-effectiveness of vaccination was provided
by a major placebo-controlled trial reported in the New England Journal
of Medicine, one of the world's most prestigious medical journals. This
reported that : vaccination reduced upper respiratory illness episodes
by 24%, sick leave by 43% and physicians' office visits by 44% (Nichol,
Lind, Margolis, et al, New England Journal of Medicine 1995 333:889-993).
In 2001 the Home Office monitored the flu vaccination programme conducted for them by Doctorcall, correlating vaccine uptake with staff absence and found there was a definite overall cost benefit, which justified continuing the programme.
A recent study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel showed a cost of sick leave at £522 per person per year with, it is believed, about 10% of this being due to flu, a sum in the area of £50 - far more than the cost of vaccination.
Tax deductible
Because the benefits of flu vaccinations are clear, it is generally treated
for tax purposes as a business expense and not as a benefit in kind.
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