Emory tool estimates health and cost effects of lower vaccine uptake in Florida

The story in brief

The Florida Phoenix reports that Emory University’s VaxImpactMap estimates how falling vaccination rates could affect illness, hospitalizations, deaths and costs. For Florida, its model projects that a 10% drop in varicella coverage over five years could mean 24,900 additional chickenpox cases and two deaths; similar declines could also increase pneumococcal disease and Hib outcomes. The estimates come as Florida considers removing four vaccines from school and daycare requirements. The tool does not include hepatitis B.