Hepatitis B Virus Vaccine
An Analysis of Its Potential Use in Medical Workers
- John D. Hamilton, MD
Abstract
At the Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, there are approximately ten recognized hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections per year in employees. The hospital's hepatitis control program costs $91,995 per year, including costs for workman's compensation, hyperimmune globulin, laboratory tests, lost revenue, liability, personnel, and medical treatment. A program to immunize high-risk medical center personnel and to accommodate residual HBV problems in nonimmunized employees would cost $206,304 in the first year. By seven years the cumulative costs of an immunization program would equal those without a program and at ten years would be cost saving ($746,742 with program v $919,950 without a program). Given certain assumptions, HBV vaccine is a cost-beneficial alternative for a major employee health hazard.
(JAMA 1983;250:2145-2150)
Footnotes
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Reprint requests to Veterans Administration Medical Center, 508 Fulton St, Durham, NC 27705 (Dr Hamilton).
