Background:

Given the economic burden of seasonal influenza for the healthcare system, we performed a systematic review aiming to update available evidence on the cost-effectiveness of vaccination of seasonal influenza in different age groups, including children.

Methods:

A systematic review of the literature on economic evaluations of seasonal influenza vaccination programs in children and adults was carried out. The following databases were searched (January 2013 - April 2018): Medline and PREMEDLINE, EMBASE, EconLit and databases of the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (DARE, HTA, NHS EED).

Results:

A total of 11 economic evaluations were included. Methodological quality of included studies was acceptable. Scientific evidence shows that seasonal influenza vaccination programs in school-age children can be a cost-effective alternative from national health system perspective and can be cost-saving from societal perspective in European countries. However, available evidence does not allow us to conclude that influenza vaccination programs in healthy adults under 65 years of age were a cost-effective alternative in our context, due to the high uncertainty and the lack of studies carried out in Spanish context.

Conclusions:

Vaccination programs for the prevention of seasonal influenza in school-age children (3-16 years) can be a cost-effective strategy.

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