health Make It Your Business to Fight the Flu by: Heather Kretzer, Florida Department of Health in Bay County
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ccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu is responsible for the loss of close to 17 million workdays each flu season in the
The easier you make it for employees to be vaccinated, the more
United States and costs $87 billion annually. Research by the CDC
surance provider to discuss options or reaching out to a medical
shows the flu virus is most active between the months of Decem-
partner that can offer the service. If that is not feasible, you could
ber and March. Employers can play a key role in protecting their em-
look at giving employees free or reduced-cost vaccines.
ployees during this time of the year, therefore increasing productivity, reducing absences, and lowering health care costs. During last year’s flu season, there was a high level of flu activity in Bay County, FL and across the nation. Each year, the CDC works to make the influenza vaccine better. Flu vaccines can vary in effectiveness from season to season, but they continue to be the most effective way to prevent the flu and serious influenza complications. The Florida Department of Health recommends getting your vaccine before Halloween and usually start becoming available in October. The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older, including pregnant women. It takes about two weeks after vaccination before the shot becomes effective. If your employees are not vaccinated by the end of October, they should get vaccinated as soon as they can during the flu season. Some of your employees may be at a higher risk of complications from the flu. This includes; pregnant women and person with medical conditions like asthma, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. En-
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likely they will be to do so. One way to accomplish this would be to host a vaccination clinic. You can do this by contacting your in-
Another option would be to promote opportunities within the community that make it more convenient for employees and their families to get vaccinated. The Florida Department of Health’s flu shot locator is a great tool to share locations that offer vaccines, www. flhealth.gov/findaflushot. Vaccination opportunities can be promoted through newsletters, Intranet sites, email, staff meetings, or paycheck inserts. When it comes to flu shots, like everything else in business, you want to lead by example. Make sure you and your leadership team are getting vaccinated. This will encourage other employees to follow suit. In addition to promoting flu vaccines, organization leaders should also allow employees who are sick to stay home from work to avoid getting other employees ill. Generally with the flu, this would mean that the person has been fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications. The flu often spreads in colder months when people are inside more and in close contact.
couraging all employees to be vaccinated is the best way to protect
Although it sounds cliché, good handwashing techniques are im-
these groups, as well as others in your organization.
portant when it comes to fighting the flu. Make sure to remind your
BAY B I Z
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OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2018
