Study: Vaccinations in alternate settings like pharmacy save significant employer healthcare dollars

LONDON — A study recently published in the Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation journal found that when more vaccinations are administered in an alternate setting, such as a pharmacy, employers realize a greater cost benefit. 

According to the study, in a typical U.S. population, an influenza immunization program will be cost-beneficial for employers when more than 37% of individuals receive vaccines in nontraditional settings, such as pharmacies. In a scenario where 50% of persons are vaccinated in nontraditional settings, estimated net savings were $6 per vaccinated employee or dependent. And immunization programs limited to a pharmacy setting produce an estimated net savings or $31 per vaccinated member.

"Although annual influenza vaccination could decrease the significant economic and humanistic burden of influenza in the United States, immunization rates are below recommended levels, and concerns remain whether immunization programs can be cost beneficial," stated Ian Duncan, the study's lead author. "Both universal and targeted vaccination programs can be cost beneficial. Proper planning with cost models can help employers and policy makers develop strategies to improve the impact of immunization programs."

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