A COST - COMPARISON OF THE USE OF INFLUENZA VACCINE IN OLD AGE HOME RESIDENTS IN JOHANNESBURG
Date
2006-11-17T13:36:56Z
Authors
Cobb, Hugh
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Residents of old age homes are at increased risk for the complications of
influenza. Studies in developed countries have consistently shown that influenza
vaccination of old age home residents and staff can significantly decrease
morbidity and mortality rates and that influenza vaccination is one of the most cost
effective interventions possible in this population. No studies have been done on
the cost benefit of using influenza vaccine in old age home residents in South
Africa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the costs of treating influenza and
influenza-like illnesses in old age home residents, and to compare the costs in
people who had received the influenza vaccine to those who had not.
The study population comprised 151 people residing in two old age homes in
Johannesburg, namely Sandringham Gardens and Nazareth House. The study
population was divided into two groups- those who received influenza vaccine and
those who had not been vaccinated. The residents of Nazareth House who gave
consent had all been vaccinated. The subjects at Sandringham Gardens were
sub- divided into two groups, namely: “Residents” and “Frail care / wards” section.
The general health of the “Frail care” people was poorer than that of the
“residents”.
Medical records were reviewed, and details of the number of doctor consultations,
medication and physiotherapy prescribed, special investigations performed and
hospital referrals related to influenza and influenza-like infections were recorded.
The costs were then calculated using “medical aid rates”. There were no
significant differences in the treatment costs, comparing those who had been
vaccinated to those who had not been vaccinated. There are a number of possible
explanations for this. These include, most importantly, a low to moderate epidemic
activity of influenza in the season that the study was conducted. Other
explanations are low patient numbers, the use of symptoms for diagnosis and the
use of over the counter therapy.
Despite the findings in the present study, the international literature supports the
view that influenza vaccination is a cost-effective intervention in the older adult
population, particularly those at higher risk. These findings have been
implemented in the official guidelines of many countries, including the South
African Adult Influenza Vaccination Guideline.
Description
M Family Medicine research report -
Faculty of Health Sciences
Keywords
old age home residents, influenza, influenza vaccination, South Africa, costs of treating influenza, influenza-like illnesses, compare, costs