Response to flu shot varies from tepid to full

Although more than 500 employees work at the distribution center, fewer than 100 of them signed up for a free vaccination. The company had expected about 200 to get the $15 shot, which Ross-Simons paid for as an employee benefit.

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The sluggish demand for flu shots at the Ross-Simons clinic reflected recent clinics around the state, despite forecasts of record demand for influenza vaccinations nationally before the season began in October.

Visiting-nurse groups, which run most of Rhode Island’s flu-shot clinics, stocked up on vaccine months ago in anticipation of long lines.

”Before (flu-shot season) started, there was anticipation that the public clinics were going to be bombarded,” said Annemarie Beardsworth, chair of the Ocean State Adult Immunization Coalition.

The thinking: Given last year’s problems with vaccine supplies, health officials expected people to flock to the clinics early to make sure they got their vaccinations. Also, anxiety over anthrax scares on the East Coast in October and November was expected to spur demand.

And those things have happened – sort of. Many visiting-nurse groups, particularly in southern Rhode Island, have administered more shots this year, and most groups say demand surged in the first few weeks after public clinics began Nov. 15.

But volume has dropped significantly in recent weeks at most clinics, officials say. And the state’s largest administer of flu shots, VNA of Care New England, says volume at both public and company-sponsored clinics is down compared to last year.

“We’re not really sure why we’re seeing lower numbers,” said Candace Sharkey, who runs VNA of Care New England’s flu-shot program.

One possibility for the sluggish demand: mild weather this fall, which might have kept people’s thoughts from turning to runny noses and achy muscles.

“It’s been an unusually warm fall, and flu shots might not be at the top of people’s lists,” Sharkey said. “But our concern is that people won’t see the need to get their flu shot.”

One of the association’s largest customers, Citizen’s Bank, had 663 employees receive flu vaccinations out of about 2,600 employees. That turnout was lower than expected, Sharkey said.

Many companies host flu-shot clinics and pay for a portion or all of the cost as a way to prevent absenteeism later in the winter. It also cuts down on health-care costs: The average hospital stay in Rhode Island for influenza is five days and costs $11,200, according to the Hospital Association of Rhode Island’s discharge data reports.

Flu shots work in 70 to 90 percent of adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Beardsworth said the Department of Health does not have statistics on the number of vaccinations received in the state, although most clinics have reported about the same volume as last year.

“There’s been a lot of speculation as to why we were not seeing the numbers we anticipated at the public clinics,” Beardsworth said, adding that warm weather is a likely factor.

Another possibility is that more people are receiving flu shots at their doctor’s offices, which has caused a dip in volume at some public and company clinics, she said.

Demand at some providers, however, is up this year. LeeAnn Quinn, who manages South County Hospital’s flu-shot program, said the hospital bought 2,000 extra doses this year and likely will go through all of them.

And the Visiting Nurse Service of Greater Rhode Island in Woonsocket and the Visiting Nurse Services of Newport & Bristol Counties in Portsmouth both say they already have administered more shots than last year.

Still, providers statewide have reported “a big drop off in attendance” at flu-shot clinics since Thanksgiving, Beardsworth said. Health officials worry that the mild weather and absence of influenza in Rhode Island thus far might make people forget to get vaccinated.

“Anyone who has not gotten a flu shot yet this year should consider getting one,” said state Health Director Patricia A. Nolan. “It is not too late.”

A number of public and workplace clinics are planned through early January. A list of public clinics is available at the Department of Health’s flu hotline at (800) 555-7858. Employers interested in hosting a private clinic for employees should contact a visiting-nurse group in their area.

Mike Colias can be reached via e-mail at colias@pbn.com