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A measles outbreak can be costly for national governments

A measles outbreak in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) in 2014, causing nearly 400 confirmed cases, cost nearly US$4 million (around US$10,000 per case), 88% of which was for a mass vaccination campaign, outbreak investigations, and other containment costs. While the U.S. government covered 2/3 of the costs, the economic burden to FSM — in labor and other costs of containing the outbreak, the direct costs of illness, and productivity losses — were the equivalent of the country’s entire education budget for one year.

Full Citation:
Pike J, Tippins A, Nyaku M et al.. 2017. Cost of a measles outbreak in a remote island economy: 2014 Federated States of Micronesia measles outbreak. Vaccine. 35(43).

Title of Article: Cost of a measles outbreak in a remote island economy: 2014 Federated States of Micronesia measles outbreak

Author(s): Pike J, Tippins A, Nyaku M et al.

Publication Year: 2017

Publication Name: Vaccine

Publication Volume: 35(43)

Publication Source URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5831405/pdf/nihms945107.pdf

DOI (Digital Object Identifier): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.08.075

Topics: Economics & Return on Investment

Disease Vaccines: Measles

Immunization Terms: Economic impacts | Outbreaks

Countries: Micronesia - Federated States Of

WHO Regions: Western Pacific