Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to 1. Understand the cost structures, productivity and efficiency associated with different vaccination strategies. 2. Understand the benefits of an Excel based Decision Support System for immunization planning.

Background:
Children under two years of age comprise the second largest number of influenza-related hospitalizations and are a reservoir for influenza infection to other family and community contacts. ACIP modified its 2002–2003 recommendations by “encouraging when feasible” influenza vaccination of healthy children 6 to 23 months of age. This recommendation poses significant challenges to an already taxed pediatric healthcare infrastructure by adding an additional 8 million vaccinations within a short time span.

Setting:
National

Population:
Physicians, Health Care Workers

Project Description:
This is an economic evaluation of the cost structures associated with vaccinating healthy children aged 6 to 23 months and the adults who accompany them at routine appointments, “walk-in” clinics and mass vaccinations clinics. Analysis includes the relative efficiency and productivity of each vaccination service and the reasons families chose a particular vaccination strategy.

Results/Lessons Learned:
The unit costs to vaccinate at scheduled, “walk-in” and mass clinics were similar but the productivity of mass clinics is the highest and efficiency of “walk-in” clinics the greatest. The productivity data suggests primary care may be at full capacity and have difficulty absorbing additional vaccination recommendations. Families had different reasons for having their child vaccinated in the three different delivery strategies. An Excel based Decision Support System for use by private providers and the public health department to estimate the cost of vaccinating using different strategies has been created from this and will be available through the California VFC program.