CLINICAL AND ECONOMIC-CONSIDERATIONS OF VACCINATION AGAINST VARICELLA

We evaluated the medical and economic literature pertaining to varicel la vaccine in healthy children in an effort to provide perspective for both clinicians and those responsible for making payment policies. Ch ickenpox is relatively mild in most immunocompetent children; however, disease-related direct and indirect medical costs have been estimated at approximately $400 million/year. A vaccine effective in preventing the disease is now available in the United States and may offset some of these expected costs. Universal vaccination for patients older tha n 12 months of age without history of varicella infection or other con traindication is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is estimated that it would save $0.90/dollar spent and $5.40/dollar s pent from payers' and society's perspectives, respectively. Thus varic ella vaccination is cost-beneficial only when considered from a societ al perspective.