Consequences of a Shortage and Rationing: Evidence from a Pediatric Vaccine / Eli B. Liebman, Emily C. Lawler, Abe Dunn, David B. Ridley.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Liebman, Eli B.

Contributor:

National Bureau of Economic Research.

Lawler, Emily C.

Dunn, Abe.

Ridley, David B.

Series:

Working Paper Series (National Bureau of Economic Research) no. w31479.

NBER working paper series no. w31479

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource: illustrations (black and white);

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Mass. National Bureau of Economic Research 2023.

Summary:

Shortages and rationing are common in health care, yet we know little about the consequences. We examine an 18-month shortage of the pediatric Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib) vaccine. Using insurance claims data and variation in shortage exposure across birth cohorts, we find that the shortage reduced uptake of high-value primary doses by 4 percentage points and low-value booster doses by 26 percentage points. This suggests providers largely complied with rationing recommendations. In the long-run, catch-up vaccination occurred but was incomplete: shortage-exposed cohorts were 4 percentage points less likely to have received their booster dose years later. We also find that the shortage and rationing caused provider switches, extra provider visits, and negative spillovers to other care.

Notes:

Print version record

July 2023.