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

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  • Courtney J. Ward

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Courtney J. Ward, 2010. "Influenza Immunization Campaigns: Is an Ounce of Prevention Worth a Pound of Cure?," Working Papers tecipa-396, University of Toronto, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:tor:tecipa:tecipa-396
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    2. 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.
    3. 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.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Influenza; Immunization; Health; Work Absence; Respiratory Illness; Hospital Admission;
    All these keywords.

    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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