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. 2016 Feb 3:3:3.
doi: 10.1186/s40779-016-0070-9. eCollection 2016.

An economic analysis of varicella immunization in the Singapore military

Jake J K Goh  1 , Marc Ho  1 , W M Koh  2 , Vernon J Lee  1
Affiliations

An economic analysis of varicella immunization in the Singapore military

Jake J K Goh et al. Mil Med Res. .

Abstract

Background: Varicella outbreaks occur frequently in closed environments such as those of militaries. This paper compares the economic outcomes of varicella vaccination in enlisted servicemen without prior reported varicella infection or vaccination.

Methods: We analyzed the economic outcomes of a varicella vaccination program on all enlisted servicemen without prior reported varicella infection or vaccination in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) between December 11, 2010 - December 20, 2013, compared with the previous program of varicella vaccination only for selected personnel between December 1, 2007 - December 10, 2010.

Results: In the at-risk population of all active SAF servicemen, the program of varicella vaccination for all servicemen without prior reported varicella infection or vaccination upon enlistment would save 72.0 work days per 1000 (95 % CI: 61.2 - 82.9), valued at SG$6,544 per 1000 (95 % CI: 6,524 - 6,564), i.e., costing SG$91.5 per work day saved (95 % CI: 78.7 - 107.3). This also results in a reduction of 2.7 varicella cases per 1000 and 5.43 outbreaks per 10000, or a total savings of SG$1,695 per 1000 (95 % CI: -2,730 - 6,834), taking into account the cost of work days lost over a three-year period, compared with the previous regime of vaccinations only for selected individuals.

Conclusion: The varicella vaccination strategy targeting all enlisted servicemen without prior reported varicella infection or vaccination is able to prevent varicella infections and outbreaks, thus reducing absenteeism and days lost.

Keywords: Economic analysis; Military; Singapore; Vaccination; Varicella.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Sensitivity analysis. The diagram shows the effect on the final outcome (Total cost before intervention - Total cost after intervention) when seven distinct variables are shocked −50 % to 150 % of the original value. The intervention is a sound investment if the graph stays above 0 (i.e., the cost before > cost after)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The Density of the simulated outcome
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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