Economic burden of 192 varicella cases in Taizhou, Zhejiang

  Objective  To evaluate the economic burden of varicella cases with different vaccination status in Taizhou.

  Methods  We selected varicella cases in 3 counties (dsitrict) with different economic levels in Taizhou for a questionnaire survey to collect the information about cases’ varicella vaccination status, economic burden and school absences.

  Results  A total of 192 varicella cases were investigated. The cases with 0, 1 and 2 doses of varicella vaccination accounted for 44.79%, 46.88% and 8.33%. The average direct economic cost was 262.66 yuan RMB, the average school absence days was 7.50 days. The average indirect economic cost was 718.46 yuan RMB, 2.73 times higher than the direct economic cost. The cases who received vaccination had lower direct medical cost and less school absence days compared with those who received no vaccination (P<0.05).

  Conclusion  The indirect economic cost of varicella cases in Taizhou was higher than the direct economic cost, and varicella vaccination can reduce school absence days. Varicella vaccination should be further promoted.