Early vaccination could save lives, dollars in next flu pandemic, study shows

Early vaccination could save both lives and money during the next flu pandemic, according to a study led by Stanford University School of Medicine researchers. Using lessons learned from the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic, researchers calculated the costs of waiting to vaccinate, looking at both the price tag to treat sick patients and the number of lives lost. Generally, a new flu vaccine takes at least six months to develop and distribute, but a vaccination campaign at four months after the start of an outbreak would save thousands more lives and millions of dollars in a large metropolitan area, according to the study. Additional measures, such as wearing face masks, using cough etiquette, washing hands or closing schools, can limit the virus’ spread while a vaccine is in production. Seasonal flu viruses sicken and kill large numbers of people each year, but the flu becomes a pandemic when it fulfills three criteria: It...