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Influenza Immunization Campaigns: Is an Ounce of Prevention Worth a Pound of Cure?

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  • Courtney J. Ward

    (Department of Economics, Dalhousie University)

Abstract

This study provides causal evidence on the health and economic consequences of a broad-scope vaccination program. The Ontario Influenza Immunization Campaign (introduced in 2001) expanded the scope of vaccine coverage to the full population. By using the timing of this campaign and exogenous variation in vaccine quality, I am able to causally link higher vaccination rates to decreases in lost work-time, hospitalization, and death. Results indicate that, when vaccine quality is high, the campaign resulted in higher gains for Ontario relative to other provinces and in short, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Results also suggest significant positive health externalities for the elderly. Possible implications for the benefits of a flu vaccine specific to H1N1/09 flu are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Courtney J. Ward, 2009. "Influenza Immunization Campaigns: Is an Ounce of Prevention Worth a Pound of Cure?," Working Papers daleconwp2010-01, Dalhousie University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:dal:wpaper:daleconwp2010-01
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jim Engle-Warnick & Sonia Laszlo & Natalia Mishagina & Erin C. Strumpf, 2013. "Coordination, Common Knowledge and an H1N1 Outbreak," CIRANO Working Papers 2013s-10, CIRANO.
    2. Robert S. Goldfarb, 2013. "Shortage, Shortage, Who's Got the Shortage?," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(3), pages 277-297, September.
    3. Ben Dachis, 2013. "Cars, Congestion and Costs: A New Approach to Evaluating Government Infrastructure Investment," C.D. Howe Institute Commentary, C.D. Howe Institute, issue 385, July.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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