Measles-mumps-rubella immunization of susceptible hospital employees during a community measles outbreak: cost-effectiveness and protective efficacy.

OBJECTIVE

To determine cost-effectiveness and protective efficacy of a program to identify and immunize susceptible hospital employees during a measles outbreak.

DESIGN

A cost analysis was made of blind measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) immunization versus directed MMR immunization based on 2,000 employees born after December 31, 1956. A directed MMR immunization program for susceptible employees was instituted. Actual costs of the program were calculated at the conclusion of the program.

SETTING

A medical center complex with more than 4,000 employees, two acute care community hospitals, and a tertiary care children's hospital.

RESULTS

A directed MMR immunization program was projected to be less expensive than blind immunization ($23,106 versus $70,720). MMR vaccine was administered to 169 of 188 susceptible employees. Actual cost of the directed MMR immunization program was $25,384.

CONCLUSIONS

The directed MMR immunization program was cost-effective and prevented secondary cases among hospital employees during a community measles outbreak.