Algol group Suomeksi

Are vaccinations cost-effective?

Viral influenza appears in Finland each year. Often it causes a wider epidemic, as a result of which a large part of the population is affected. Consequently, the annual wave of influenza also has an impact on the national economy.

According to statistics published by the National Institute for Health and Welfare (www.thl.fi), influenza vaccines can reduce the hospitalization of risk groups and those over the age of 65 by 40 to 70 percent and mortality by 50 to 70 percent. In addition, influenza vaccines reduce the amount and duration of sick leaves.

Solvay Pharma has introduced a new online cost-benefit calculator for influenza vaccination in the workplace. This innovative calculator makes it easy for companies to calculate how much it would cost to vaccinate employees against influenza on the one hand, and what economic impact a seasonal outbreak of influenza can have on your company on the other.

Solvay Pharma, which is represented by Algol Pharma, supplies half of the influenza vaccines for risk groups in Finland. “The vaccine provides protection for an average of 70 percent of those who are vaccinated,” says Mika Lehtisyrjä, Marketing Director for Solvay Pharma.

“As a result, vaccination significantly reduces sick leaves. An investment of one euro in vaccination will pay itself back many times,” Lehtisyrjä adds.

Influenza vaccines should be taken annually in order to provide the highest level of protection. Influenza vaccines are not affective against other epidemics caused by respiratory viruses that also appear in wintertime. It is also possible for a vaccinated person to catch the flu, but generally the illness is less severe and economic impact smaller.

The cost-benefit calculator for influenza vaccination in the workplace can be found online at: www.influtec.com