Should employers give it a shot? A cost-benefit analysis of the influenza vaccination from an employer’s perspective

Abstract

Background: Seasonal influenza is a disease that occurs annually and causes infections in 5-10% of the global population. The symptoms range from fever and coughing to complications like pneumonia and can be lethal in the worst-case scenario. Therefore, influenza represents a great economic burden for both companies and society as a whole. The most effective intervention to prevent this disease is influenza vaccination. Objective: The main objective of this thesis is to find out how economically attractive it is for Norwegian employers to invest in influenza vaccination. The analysis will be conducted for different industries and occupational sectors. Methods: To estimate the cost-benefit of employer-financed worksite influenza vaccination a decision tree model has been developed. Data was generated from the literature and Norwegian institutions. In the model the benefit observed is averted productivity loss due to vaccination, which is represented by worktime loss. Observed cost components are costs to employers generated through the vaccination. Results: The baseline model shows that the costs for the vaccination exceed the benefits of such a program. This means that the introduction of a workplace vaccination would on average generate costs of NOK 10.92 per employee. However, the results vary across the industries. The higher the gross average labour costs, the more likely it is that the intervention becomes cost saving. Furthermore, uncertainty influences the results, with the vaccination effectiveness and the probability of contracting influenza as the most sensitive parameters. Conclusion: Employer-financed influenza vaccinations are a relatively inexpensive intervention. In some industries and in certain years (depending on influenza incidence and vaccination effectiveness) it may be cost saving.