Here's a sobering fact: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 200,000 Americans are hospitalized every year due to flu-like symptoms. Yikes.
Flu season is a frustrating time for employers as well as employees. Whenever any widespread virus or other biological threat becomes an issue, employers need to work harder to protect their business operations as well as take proactive steps to protect their employees.
That being said....how prepared is your workplace for the upcoming flu season?
The best way to start limiting your employees' exposure to the flu is to encourage what is arguably the most effective way to prevent viral outbreaks in the workplace: an annual flu vaccination. There are two ways you can help your employees: make vaccinations available on-site, and offer education and options as to where they (and their families) can receive a flu vaccination.
Host an on-site flu vaccination clinic
Most health insurance plans will provide complimentary on-site flu clinics for employer groups with 20 or more employees. Availability books quickly, so it’s recommended to act early. Your Bukaty benefit consultant can be of assistance.
Promote flu vaccination education
If an on-site clinic isn’t practical, remind your employees that vaccinations are considered preventive and can be provided at no charge by an in-network physician's office, pharmacy or community clinic. For the uninsured, local health departments generally provide low-cost or no-cost vaccines.
Check out the links below for more information on how to ready your workplace for flu season, including
- implementing preventive measures,
- getting through the flu season or other threat in the workplace, and
- managing business recovery post-epidemic.
SHRM Toolkit: Managing Through Flu and Other Epidemics in the Workplace
CDC Toolkit: Make It Your Business To Fight The Flu
OSHA: Workplace Safety and the Flu
For more information on how to set up an on-site flu vaccination clinic, contact our health care experts at 913.345.0440.
