How to Prepare Your Workforce for Flu Season

Employers should ensure their workforces are as protected against the flu season as best they can, with getting a yearly flu vaccination the most effective form of protection, reports MedExpress physician Reed Erickson in Employee Benefit News . On-site clinics are one of the most convenient flu prevention options employers have, and some healthcare firms offer this option as part of a worksite wellness program in which they supply shots and educational materials. Employers also can help increase employee participation in on-site flu shot clinics by training their workplace on the importance of the vaccination and helping to debunk common misconceptions associated with the shot. Such misconceptions include the notion that the flu shot will cause illness. The idea that it is too late to get a flu shot also is a myth. Furthermore, although the vaccine's effectiveness can vary from year to year depending on the flu strain in circulation, research continues to support the recommendation that working adults should get vaccinated every autumn. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a flu shot can reduce the risk of contracting the virus by 40 percent to 60 percent if the dominant flu strain matches the vaccine.