FITCHBURG -- How much would you pay to protect yourself from a disease that kills an estimated 36,000 people each year?
State, regional and local health officials are hoping that a price tag of $0 is low enough to convince members of the public 6 months old and up to receive their annual influenza vaccine.
"I get a flu shot every year, I wouldn't miss it. It's smart to do, it's safe and effective," said Dr. Al DeMaria, state medical director for the Bureau of Infectious Disease Prevention, Response and Services and the state epidemiologist for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. He's 64 and has received his flu shots for more than 30 years.
He said the annual death rate is hard to nail down, but influenza is nothing to sneeze at. While diseases such as West Nile virus or strains like the swine flu or bird flu get the public's attention, influenza is a persistent threat that may kill as many as 50,000 Americans each year. Sometimes the harm from influenza is masked by other ailments in statistics, according to DeMaria.
"What if I get the flu and I get run down and have a heart attack next week? We know clinically it is related to the flu, but that would not be reflected on the death certificate," said DeMaria.
He said it's hard to put a number on how effective the flu shot is, as success varies with the patient's age and strength of their immune system, but he put the range at 50 to 90 percent effective in avoiding the disease.
"A vaccine not given is 100 percent ineffective," added DeMaria.
DeMaria said annual vaccinations help build up the immune systems "repertoire" in combating different strains over time.
The biology of the influenza virus allows it to rapidly mutate, and different strains expand and contract in their dominance. DeMaria said a global network of scientists works together to test what strains are showing up and predict which strains to target with the flu shot.
This year the strains included in the flu shot are known as A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus, A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like virus and B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like virus.
Stephen D. Curry, director of the Fitchburg Board of Health, said the city gave out about 300 flu shots last year. In addition, private pharmacies also distribute the flu shot, including ones located inside grocery and retail stores.
Now that Fitchburg is the control center for regional health services through the Montachusett Public Health Network, Curry said the local flu clinics now have a regional focus.
"The flu doesn't know the difference between Fitchburg and Leominster," said Curry.
Barbara Proffitt, director of performance improvement at Community Health Connections, said nurses from her company and local boards of health will be administering the shots at the regional flu clinics, which will not turn anyone away.
She said people who are going to be around high-risk groups, such as children, the elderly or those with chronic health problems are important to vaccinate against influenza, and everyone over the age of 6 months should consider receive the flu shot, including pregnant women.
The state is paying for the flu shot, and no individuals will have to pay anything or will be turned away for lack of money, insurance or proof of residency.
Proffitt said people should bring their insurance cards, which will allow them to charge the insurance company for an administration fee for their nurses' labor, but this will not require any form of direct payment, such as co-pays.
"Getting the flu vaccine, even if it's not the height of H1N1, is still important," said Proffitt. "Everyone should get vaccinated against the flu."
Upcoming flu clinics:
* Clinton Town Hall, Oct. 16, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
* Meetinghouse School in Westminster, Oct. 18, 4-7 p.m.
* Gardner Senior Center, Nov. 1, 1-2 p.m.
* There will be three simultaneous flu clinics on Nov. 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Community Health Connections locations in Fitchburg, Gardner and Leominster.