Why offering employees flu shots benefits everyone

Influenza can have a devastating impact on individuals and organizations. While this year’s flu season may be winding down, now is the time to start planning ahead to protect your employees and your business ahead of next year’s flu season.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates approximately 1 in 5 people get the flu each year, leading to tens of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths. While these numbers may be startling, there are ways employers can help minimize the risk of their employees becoming sick—specifically, the flu vaccine.

Recent studies indicate that getting a flu shot can reduce an individual’s chances of getting the flu by up to 60 percent. This impact can be amplified within an organization, helping to prevent illness from spreading among the workforce and reducing time employees spend away from the office while sick.