Optimal Disease Eradication
Link to article:
Authors:
Barrett, Scott and Michael Hoel
Year:
2003
Reference:
HERO Skrifter
Number in series: 23
Summary
Using a dynamic model of the control of an infectious disease, we derive the conditions under which eradication will be optimal. When eradication is feasible, the optimal program requires either a low vaccination rate or eradication. A high vaccination rate is never optimal. Under special conditions, the results are especially stark: the optimal policy is either not to vaccinate at all or to eradicate. Our analysis yields a cost-benefit rule for eradication, which we apply to the current initiative to eradicate polio.
JEL:
D61, H41, I18.
Keywords:
eradication of infectious diseases, vaccination, control theory, cost-benefit analysis, poliomyelitis.
Project:
Oppdragsgiver: Norges forskningsrådOppdragsgivers prosjektnr.:
Frisch prosjekt: 4101 - Economics of health
ISBN:
82-7756-131-8
Contact:
michael.hoel@econ.uio.no
Financing:
The Research Council of Norway