Is your workplace flu- ready?
As the flu season is fast approaching it’s important to get prepared and prepare your workplace to reduce sick days caused by this highly contagious illness. Up to one in ten adults and three in ten children In Australia are infected with influenza each year and in the workplace it infects around 1 to 4 people, usually in the winter months.
According to Harvard School of Public Health, 20 to 30 percent of people who carry the influenza virus never experience flu-like symptoms. It is very contagious and thrives in working environments. Influenza can last up to 7-10 days, meaning an employee may be away sick for that period. Moreover, people are contagious for days prior to exhibiting symptoms and not know it, passing the flu to others.
It is important for workplaces to arrange influenza vaccination programs as the influenza vaccine is different every year to protect against new strains of the rapidily evolving influenza virus. Workplace vaccination programs are estimated to result in a significant return on investment, particularly during a severe influenza season. The influenza vaccination is 70–90% effective in preventing influenza specific illness in healthy adults and complications from influenza such as pneumonia. Immunity develops about two weeks after the vaccination and lasts for a year.
So why should workplaces participate in an influenza vaccination program?
- Reduces number of employee sick days
- Promotes a healthy work environment
- Prevents productivity loss
- Decreases employee disruption and increased workloads for employees that are not infected
Our team of health experts at Corporate Doctors Plus can assist with your workplace vaccination program. Our clinic can arrange for one of our doctors and nurses to attend to your workplace to vaccinate you and your employees against the flu. The cost for Medicare Card holders is just the cost of the vaccine which this year is $15.
For bookings and to see if the service is available in your area, please contact our reception on 3357 8192 (*minimum number applies).
