Hospital Bill for Kids With Flu High

The cost for hospitalizing a child for the flu may be higher than previous thought, bolstering the case for vaccination, a Philadelphia hospital said.

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia said its study indicates hospital costs could be $13,000 — three to four times higher than previously thought, the hospital said in a news release. Researcher Ron Keren said the finding suggests annual flu vaccinations may be more cost effective than previously thought.

Researchers analyzed billing information for 727 patients with lab-confirmed flu who were admitted to Children’s Hospital for the 2000-04 flu seasons, Keren said. He said they found hospital costs ranged from about $7,000 for stays in pediatric wards to nearly $40,000 for children in intensive care units.

Children with low-risk conditions had hospital costs averaging $9,000 each, while those with high-risk conditions such as heart disease, chronic lung disease or asthma averaged $15,000, he said.

Keren said the study reinforced the American Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation for annual flu shots by strengthening the economic case for vaccinating children against influenza.