Optimal disease eradication

Scott Barrett and Michael Hoel

Environment and Development Economics, 2007, vol. 12, issue 05, pages 627-652

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2007

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Persistent link: http://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cup:endeec:v:12:y:2007:i:05:p:627-652_00

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