FLU SHOTS MAKE GOOD ECONOMICS COMPANIES SAVE MONEY.

Byline: Evan Pondel Staff Writer

The annual spate of influenza illnesses cost employers nearly $400 per employee in lost work and medical expenses, costs that could easily be avoided by inoculation, according to a study released Tuesday.

As hospitals and health officials prepare for flu season - its peak stretching between December and February - researchers found that a simple vaccination for $10.41 was worth the expense.

The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, concluded that a person who comes down with the flu misses 2.8 days of work - each day accounting for $142.10 in lost wages.

``But that's extremely conservative and some people are prone to stay home a lot longer,'' said Dr. Patrick Lee, a Stanford University resident and the study's lead author. ``Though we don't advocate that all healthy adults should get flu shots because of vaccine shortages, it's probably a good idea.''

Many companies opt for vaccination days, when employees can receive a flu shot for a nominal fee. But for those companies that haven't extended their arms for a flu shot, Lee said it's time to realize the benefits. The study revealed that a patient's willingness to pay for a day of relief from influenza amounted to $15.49; from nausea, $61.79; and from dizziness, $56.39.

Each year, the flu affects 10 percent to 20 percent of the U.S. population. Federal officials recommend that the first round of shots go to elderly people, pregnant women in their second and third trimesters, and those with chronic illnesses. With the flu causing about 20,000 American deaths a year, the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services isn't anticipating a vaccine shortage this year.

``At this point the vaccine supply is looking pretty good and producers are on track to making more doses this year than in the past,'' said Cheri Todoroff, immunization program director for the county's Health Services Department. ``Our clinics should be ready by October to start shooting the vaccines.''

Most pharmacies and doctors' offices offer vaccinations. The cost tends to vary, with vaccines ranging between $5 and $20. But in almost all scenarios, vaccination proved to have a higher net benefit than nonvaccination, the study said.

``Another factor some people don't realize, is that a flu shot will not give you any of the symptoms associated with the virus,'' Lee said. ``It's a complete myth that you might feel sick if you get a shot.''

Gordon Almquist, chief financial officer of Strix Systems, is an ardent believer in the benefits of a flu shot. Last year, Almquist arranged to have all employees vaccinated to avoid the bug.

``The perks of people coming to work outweigh the costs associated with the vaccination,'' he said. ``A few people still came down with colds, but it wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been.''

Almquist received a shot, and though it stung a bit, the flu stayed away. This year, he said the Westlake Village-based company will most likely receive another round of vaccinations. ``I don't mind spending the money on this type of cause,'' he said.

Nor does Michael Chee, director of communications for Thousand Oaks- based Blue Cross of California. Though his employer offers free vaccinations to workers, Chee abstained from a vaccination last year. The result: ``I got slammed for about 14 days with a very late strain of the flu.''

This year, Chee said his upper arm will be among the first injected come vaccination day.

But it's not only adults who can benefit from the flu vaccine. Dr. Charles Goodman, a West Hills pediatrician, said children should also receive vaccinations.

``A sick child could easily keep a parent from going to work,'' he said. ``A vaccination is a very good investment and it's safe, too.''

The costs associated with Tylenol and other drugs to keep aches under control can add up. For that reason, Goodman said a flu vaccine can eliminate an extra trip to the drug store.

If the flu does strike, there are several therapies that the study found cost-effective. They include rimantadine, zanamivir and oseltamivir.

Rimantadine, which costs about $17.50, was ``the most cost-beneficial,'' although it caused slightly more side effects, Lee said.

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THE SIDE EFFECTS OF INFLUENZA