Save the economy: line up for a flu shot.

• Author: Ursini, Stephanie
• Position: Attitude at Altitude

Colorado businesses are in for a real shot in the arm this flu season, although Baby Boomers who remain "babies" about needles might even look for a flu mist to get past their fears.

While large corporations have long been advocates for curtailing flu, increasing numbers of small to mid-sized businesses will join this year's fight to keep Coloradans well and on the job. Following a recent direct-mail campaign, Denver's Visiting Nurse Association (VNA), a private, non-profit nursing company, boasts a whopping 40 percent increase in mid-sized businesses signing up for shots this year.

It's really a matter of dollars and sense.

The American Medical Association estimates that flu costs employers approximately $1 billion a year, or $65 per employee, in terms of absenteeism, overtime, interruption of service, lost or reduced sales and productivity. Nationally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate up to 50,000 Americans will die from the flu this year, mostly young children and seniors. And that's just the regular flu, not the pandemic bird flu everyone around the world is also worried about.

While Colorado ranks third in the nation for the number of flu vaccinations received by those 65 and older, privately initiated wellness programs help fill the gaps in covering Colorado's statewide target flu populations, especially those employed in the state's workforce. Health experts have found that the flu virus thrives in a typical office environment; they estimate one in four people will be infected in their offices this winter.

Yet much of the pain and suffering related to flu can be prevented. VNA spokeswoman Gayle Davis said when companies call VNA for information about workplace health clinics the nursing company offers, 90 percent of those clients sign up for one.

"The convenience and availability of the clinics are a value for everyone," said Davis. "Businesses are assured their employees are vaccinated and employees have the convenience of getting the shot at work."

While the price of the vaccine has more than tripled in the last seven years, those same higher prices have attracted a new generation of manufacturers, and pending those companies' FDA approval, the price of vaccines should stabilize.

Employees see on-site clinics as a perk, especially when the employer picks up part or all...