Related: How much will COVID-19 vaccines cost after the federal government stops paying for them?

The insurance brokerage Brown & Brown recommends five steps to keep the workforce healthy this winter:

Make vaccinations accessible. Logistics and costs often are major barriers to getting seasonal vaccines such as the flu shot and boosters for COVID. Provide information about local pharmacies and clinics that offer COVID and flu vaccines. Remind insured employees that these are fully covered by their health plan and provide vouchers to cover the costs for the uninsured. Give employees paid time off to get immunized.
Continue to encourage or require mask-wearing, which limits the spread of each of these respiratory diseases. This is especially important if employees are in routine close contact with one another, customers or the public.
Ensure proper ventilation in buildings and workspaces, which may reduce the concentration of airborne viruses. It also can reduce surface contamination, which is especially important for RSV and the flu, by removing some virus particles before they land on surfaces.
Given the contagiousness of all three viral illnesses, encourage employees to stay home if they are not feeling well and are symptomatic. Offering paid sick time or ways to work from home can help decrease the likelihood of a workplace outbreak.
Help employees get connected to a primary care provider so they have treatment options if they do become ill or have symptoms. A primary care provider can help with testing for different viruses and give guidance on over-the-counter and prescription treatments. Seeking routine and early care from a primary care provider lowers the likelihood that high-cost emergency care becomes necessary.

Instant Insights /

'Tripledemic' of COVID, flu, RSV: Triple threat to return-to-office policies (& holiday parties)

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