[The economic evaluation of vaccination against infectious cough in horses using the cost-benefit analysis].

The research reveals the economical benefits of vaccinating horses in Germany against infectious respiratory disease, demonstrating that vaccine prophylaxis not only provides reliable protection but could also save the horse owner at least 415 DM per year, an aspect often overlooked by those who prefer conventional treatments.

Research Background and Objective

• The research is centered around the economic evaluation of vaccination against infectious cough in horses, and it is rooted in the context of escalating infectious respiratory disease among horses in Germany in the 1980s.

Problem Statement

• The research indicates that despite the proven effectiveness of expert vaccine prophylaxis in providing protection against the disease, conventional therapy was often preferred due to the perceived costs associated with vaccination.

Methodology and Findings

• The researchers conducted a cost/effect analysis aimed at comparing the economic benefits of vaccination versus conventional treatment.
• The findings from the analysis demonstrate a clear economic advantage in favor of vaccination. It shows that on a per-animal basis, immune prophylaxis—or vaccination—could potentially save the horse owner at least 415 DM per year.

Additional Considerations

• The research acknowledges that the economic analysis did not consider the aspect of the potential transmission of the viruses responsible for respiratory diseases in horses to humans. This indicates that there may be broader implications and further benefits of vaccination that could significantly impact the economic evaluation.

Conclusions

• The research concludes that despite the incurred cost, the vaccination of horses against infectious respiratory diseases offers not only health benefits to the animals but also significant economic advantages for the owners as compared to the use of conventional treatment methods.