Prepare Your Company Against Flu Season
In these tough economic times, can you afford not to introduce a Flu Shot Program?
Experts are forecasting that approximately 5% to 20% of the U.S. population will contract some form of the influenza this year. With symptoms ranging from high fever to extreme fatigue, the “Flu” will cause employees to miss approximately 1.3 days of work resulting in a production loss valued at about $575 to $1000 per week.
By offering your employees an inoculation against influenza, you will be helping to maintain your staff's health while greatly reducing workplace absenteeism by 18% to 45%. Yearly flu inoculations should begin in September and continue throughout the first of the new year. EBI’s comprehensive on-site Wellness Programs can be tailored to meet any company’s needs, budget and size, and can be scheduled directly at your workplace.
The flu is a disease of the breathing passages caused by the influenza virus. It affects people of all ages as it spreads through the air from person to person. The virus can be as contagious as the common cold and is easily transmitted from people who are already infected. You can also get the flu from those who have been exposed, but have not yet developed symptoms, which means that you can be contagious and not even know it. The flu is more serious than a cold, often causing severe symptoms such as body aches, exhaustion, high fever, respiratory inflammation, congestion, coughing, and more. You could be ill for a week, with some symptoms lingering for up to a month. For people that are classified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as high-risk, it is especially important to get vaccinated. This high-risk group includes people over 65, anyone with heart disease, diabetes, kidney disorder, blood disorder, or an impaired immune system.
The flu vaccine is 75 to 90 percent effective in preventing infection. Contrary to a popular myth, you cannot get the flu from the vaccine since it is made from highly purified egg grown viruses that have been rendered noninfectious. The vaccine causes your body to produce antibodies that protect it against the virus. Even if you received a flu shot last year, you still need to receive another one this year to remain protected. Each year the flu strain changes and your body slowly loses its immunity. As with any vaccine, the flu vaccine has some side effects. Less than 1/3 of those who receive a flu shot will experience some soreness at the vaccination site, and only 5 to 10 percent will suffer mild side effects such as low-grade fevers and headaches. Anyone with a history of hypersensitivity to eggs or egg products should not receive a flu shot since the vaccine is grown in hens’ eggs.
October and November are the optimal months for flu vaccination. However, getting vaccinated later will still prevent illness in most flu seasons. The CDC recommends that vaccination continue through December and as long as the vaccine is available.
EBI’s industry leading Occupational Healthcare Solutions offers a variety of Wellness Programs for your company from seasonal flu shots to regular or periodic vaccination programs. Let EBI take care of all the logistics and provide you with the know-how and solution to guard your staff from the rapidly advancing “Flu”. It doesn't matter if you have a one-time use, a mobile on-site need or services obtained from one of our certified clinics from our national network. EBI has a wellness program for you.
Schedule Your 2009 Influenza Vaccination Campaign Today!
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All information contained herein is provided by Employment Background Investigations solely for the convenience of its clients. EBI is not providing legal advice or counsel and nothing provided on this document should be deemed as legal guidance or advice. Readers should consult with their own legal counsel to determine their legal responsibilities or if they have questions on any information provided by EBI.